Former Sen. Nicole Mitchell sentenced to work release

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (FOX 9) – Former Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell was sentenced to six months of work release on Tuesday for her burglary conviction after she broke into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes.

A jury found Mitchell guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools after a week-long trial in July. Mitchell’s sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. in Becker County.

A Becker County judge handed down a 21-month stayed sentence with supervised probation for five years. The judge also ordered Mitchell to serve 180 days of work release at Ramsey County Jail.

Mitchell faced a minimum of six months in jail or workhouse, but her defense team requested a lighter sentence and asked that she serve out her sentence in Ramsey County. The defense is also disputing the $23,585 in restitution.

However, the prosecution says Mitchell should serve out her sentence in Becker County, where the crime occurred, though the judge decided with the defense.