Drug crimes represented nearly a fourth of Dakota County's felony criminal cases last year, with methamphetamine charges still the most prevalent and illegal prescription drug prosecutions on the rise.

The total number of adult felony-level prosecutions in Dakota County ticked up from 1,545 in 2013 to 1,565 last year and drug charges accounted for the biggest share of cases, according to the Dakota County Attorney's office. The number of adults charged with felony drug offenses — 372 — was up 6 percent from 2013.

"It's a significant burden on our office as well as law enforcement throughout the community and throughout the state for that matter," County Attorney James Backstrom said. "Illegal drug cases drive the crime rate in America."

As in recent years, meth prosecutions in the county — there were 176 in 2014 — outnumbered cases involving any other drugs. Prescription drug prosecutions climbed from 54 to 73 last year. There were 62 adults charged with marijuana-related offenses, 35 adults charged for cocaine-related offenses and 27 adults charged for heroin-related offenses. The county continues to refer repeat, nonviolent drug offenders to its adult drug court, sending 25 people to the program in 2014. Fifty-two offenders have now graduated since the program started in 2008.

Five adults were charged with murder in 2014, down from seven in 2013, and two others were charged with manslaughter. Those charges resulted from four deaths over 2013 and 2014.

The 2014 murder cases included the July 30 shooting death of Mendota Heights Police Officer Scott Patrick, the only officer from that department ever killed in the line of duty. Brian Fitch Sr. was convicted in February of murdering Patrick. Fitch was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Felony driving while impaired charges dipped from 63 in 2013 to 53 last year. A DWI becomes a felony when an offender has been convicted of three DWI's in the last 10 years and commits a fourth such offense.

The number of deaths related to motor vehicle crashes fell from 18 in 2013 to 11 last year — part of the largest decrease in crash deaths statewide since 1944.

Overall, 477 adults were charged with 647 violent crimes in 2014, up from 462 adults charged with 621 violent crimes the year before.

Felony domestic violence prosecutions fell from 63 in 2013 to 53 last year. Property crimes also decreased from 631 adults charged with 742 such crimes in 2013 to 594 adults charged with 706 crimes in 2014.

Stephen Montemayor • 952-746-3282