The stack of papers on Julie Lawyer’s desk represents only a portion of the case files she tends to as Burleigh County state’s attorney.

“These aren’t as serious; not urgent,” she said, taking the top one. It’s a drug case, as are so many that come through her office, and this one is in the pile mostly because there’s no victim, no restitution needed, and nobody is in any immediate danger. But it, like the others in the stack, has to get handled.