Kurt Britzius named Albany County & Prosecuting Attorney
Britzius spent a decade in the Albany County Attorney’s Office he will now lead. Experienced in prosecution, Britzius told commissioners he is willing to educate himself on the job's civil elements.
Laramie lawyer Kurt Britzius is taking on the dual roles of county and prosecuting attorney, filling the vacancy left by former County Attorney Peggy Trent, who resigned earlier this month.
Trent had been re-elected for a second four-year term in 2018, but left early after taking a job in Kansas and amid a high-profile lawsuit against the county.
Britzius will serve out the remaining year-and-a-half of Trent’s second term, but would have to run for, and win, the 2022 election to stay in office.
“The role of the prosecutor is to administer justice,” Britzius said during his interview Sunday with the Albany County Commissioners. “It’s not just to win cases. It’s the one role where the attorney is not just there to win the case and have a person convicted. Prosecutors really are there to analyze a case, to determine the viability of evidence, and determine the proper outcome that is in the best interest of society itself. I believe I have the experience to do that and provide that service for Albany County.”
Unlike many other states, elected attorneys in Wyoming, such as Trent and Britzius, have two different roles. As the prosecuting attorney, they bring felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases for the state against criminal defendants. As the county attorney, they advise and represent the Albany County Commission and its boards.
Britzius told the commissioners that he had less experience with civil law, especially governmental administration, but added he is capable and willing to learn.
“When any attorney takes on a new area of the law — as all attorneys will at some point in their career — it is up to the attorney to educate themselves, bring themselves up to speed, to consult with other counsel if need be, and to make sure they know what they’re talking about,” he said. “I feel I am absolutely capable of bringing myself up to speed.”
Britzius graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2007. He began his legal career as an associate attorney at the Laramie-based firm Brown & Hiser. In 2009, Britzius became a Deputy County and Prosecuting Attorney in the Albany County Attorney’s Office. In 2016, he was promoted to Chief Deputy County and Prosecuting Attorney, where he remained until 2019.
Since then, he has opened a private practice, Britzius Law. But it was his time in the office he will now helm that Britzius touted during his interview.
“I’ve worked in the county attorney’s office for almost ten years,” he said. “The one advantage I really have is experience. I know the people.”
Britizus added he has good relationships with defense attorneys, law enforcement, and the courts.
Britzius also served as Circuit Court Magistrate for Albany County and as a Municipal Court Magistrate for the city of Laramie. He has also taught courses for the UW College of Law.
The Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Britzius after a 25-minute executive session. Britzius was selected from a pool of three candidates submitted by the Albany County Democrats in the wake of Trent’s resignation.
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I've been so pleased with your articles on the Albany County Attorney. Do you take article requests? What about the 4 dead bodies found in Laramie in May?