About Us
Laura a. nodolf
district attorney
Education
Mrs. Laura A. Nodolf is the District Attorney for Midland County, Texas. Laura grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from Schreiner University in 2000 and her Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech School of Law in 2003. While in law school, she found she had a passion for the pursuit of justice.
career in midland county
From law school, she joined the Midland County District Attorneys Office where she quickly established herself in the legal and law enforcement communities. She has tried over a hundred jury trials with substantial success. In addition to managing a complex and challenging docket, Laura maintained office management responsibilities and served as the First Assistant District Attorney for a period of 6 years.
It was during this time that she represented Midland County in a collaborative project with Dallas, Tarrant and Travis Counties to develop a software package specifically for prosecutors. The application allows for District Attorney Offices to become paperless and offer discovery digitally to defense counsel. In addition to her legal work, she instructs for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, the Permian Basin Law Enforcement Academy, and other agencies.
Upon announcement that the sitting District Attorney would not seek re-election, Laura decided to run for the position. She was subsequently elected and was sworn in as District Attorney on January 1st, 2017.
Changing the way criminal justice is viewed
Since taking office, Laura has worked diligently to change the way that criminal justice is viewed in the community. It is her sincere desire that the criminal justice system be used as a tool to help those who are willing to accept responsibility for their crimes and desire rehabilitation and to incarcerate those who pose the greatest risk to our society.
She has spent her time working with local agencies, community partners, and the commissioners to educate individuals and work towards her goal. As a result, Midland County has funded a Drug Court. She looks forward to continuing her work with partners in criminal justice to constantly evaluate the criminal justice system in Midland to ensure that we are truly seeking justice in all cases.
Working with law enforcement
Additionally, Laura remains active with the law enforcement community. She recently participated in an online operation where thirty seven individuals were arrested for soliciting a child younger than 17 years of age for sex or agreeing to meet a thirteen year old for sex. This operation was the largest of its kind in West Texas. Outside of the operation, Laura continues to work with law enforcement on a daily basis through training and by offering legal assistance.
Community & Family Life
Laura is involved in several community organizations, including The Junior League of Midland, Inc., PTA as Washington Elementary and Carver Center, Teen Court, and First United Methodist Church. She has been married to Kurtis for seventeen years and is the proud mother of nine year old twins, Addie and Cooper.
The mission of the Midland County District Attorney’s Office is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and State of Texas, to investigate and prosecute vigorously, within the bounds of the law, all offenses over which we have jurisdiction and to not merely seek a conviction, but to see that justice is done with integrity, competence, and compassion.
In an effort to accomplish this mission, the Midland County District Attorney’s Office strives to meet the highest ethical standards in the profession. We want to ensure that the guilty are held accountable by means that are appropriate for the defendant and the offense and that the innocent are set free.
GENERAL FAQS
WHAT IS A DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE?
It is the duty of the District Attorney's Office to prosecute all felony and misdemeanor cases that are committed in Midland County. Our job is to see that justice is done. Our office handles cases submitted to us by a law enforcement agency.
We handle the cases through trial and all appeal proceedings. We do not represent any one individual. Instead, we represent the State of Texas and the citizens of Midland County.
CAN A CRIME BE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE?
Any crime should be reported to your local law enforcement agency. The only direct filings the District Attorney's Office accepts are for hot checks.
WHO DO I CONTACT TO REPORT A CRIME?
In most cases you should report the crime to your local law enforcement agency. If your report is an emergency, call 911.
If the crime occurred in the city limits, report the crime to the police department. The City of Midland Police Department Telephone Reporting Unit's phone number is 432-685-7108. If the crime is committed outside the city limits in Midland County, contact the Midland County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division by calling 432-688-4600.
WHAT IS A GRAND JURY AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
Texas law requires action by the grand jury in most instances before a felony case can be brought to trial. If the grand jury believes that there is probable cause to prove that a person has committed a felony, it votes to issue an indictment. A no-bill means that there is not sufficient probable cause to move the case forward.
The District Attorney's Office assists the grand jury in hearing evidence and preparing indictments, but the actual deliberations are secret. Only the grand jurors are present during deliberations and voting on the cases.