Cass County Prosecutors Dismiss Domestic Violence Charge
A judge signed an order dismissing a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against a Clay County public defender.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Crime — General
Cass County prosecutors have dismissed a domestic violence charge against Clay County public defender Dustin Andruski. The legal action followed allegations involving an apartment incident in May.
Why it matters
The dismissal resolves a case that was slated for trial before Judge Steven McCullough. It marks the second time prosecutors in the jurisdiction have dropped charges against the defendant this year.
Judge Steven McCullough signed the dismissal order on October 12, effectively canceling the trial that was scheduled to begin on October 14.
The players
Dustin Andruski
He is a Clay County public defender who faced domestic violence charges in Cass County.
Steven McCullough
He is a judge who signed the official order to dismiss the charges.
The details
The charges stemmed from a May 14 incident at an apartment where Dustin Andruski and the woman involved lived. Andruski, who pleaded not guilty, had denied the claim that the woman was his girlfriend and accused her of slapping him.
Timeline
February 2026: An aggravated assault incident occurred.
May 14, 2026: The domestic violence incident occurred.
October 12, 2026: Judge Steven McCullough signed the dismissal order.
October 14, 2026: The court canceled the trial.
Legal Context
This case follows the pattern established by the February 2026 aggravated assault charge against Dustin Andruski, which was also dismissed by prosecutors. The repeated dismissal of charges against a local public defender highlights the procedural outcomes within the Cass County court system.
The dismissal of this high-profile case involving a local public official brings the matter to a close without a trial. Residents and local legal observers now have clarity on the status of the proceedings following the cancellation of the court schedule.
The takeaway
The dismissal of the charges against the attorney concludes the current legal action for the parties involved. Cases involving domestic disputes often depend heavily on the specific evidence presented to the court prior to the trial phase.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit the Fargo Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INFORUM.
