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.

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.

Carol Mitchell, Nicole’s stepmother, spoke to the media after the sentencing and said,  “I don’t think 6 months is very much time for what she put me through, but um. At least I know it’s gonna hurt her, it’s. With your children and losing her job and that type of thing, so I guess there’s there’s definite repercussions here.”

A special election to fill the Democrat’s seat will be held on November 4.