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Kentucky's district attorney role is divided into two attorney groups. One is called the Commonwealth's Attorney and the other is the County Attorney. The Commonwealth Attorney is defined by the Kentucky Constitution as the prosecutor of felony crimes in Kentucky. The County Attorney is defined by statute as the prosecutor of misdemeanors that occur within the county.
The Commonwealth Attorney is an elected official who holds office for six years. There are 57 Judicial Circuit Courts in Kentucky with each one having a Commonwealth Attorney. Their principal job is to represent the State of Kentucky in the prosecution of felonies. They attend each Circuit Court in their judicial circuit and have a duty to prosecute all violations, by adults or juveniles, of the criminal and penal laws of Kentucky. In addition, they present evidence to the grand jury concerning criminal violations.
The County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor violations, by adults or juveniles, of criminal or penal laws of Kentucky that occur within the county. They also provide legal advice to the county Fiscal Court as well as county officials and officers. Their office may also collect court-ordered child support.
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. They represent Kentucky in all cases, civil or criminal, before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals that involve Kentucky. They commence all actions or appearances in or out of state in which Kentucky has an interest. They write legal opinions, communicate with the legislative branch, and draft legal writings intended for public use.
A directory of the Commonwealth Attorneys can be found on the Kentucky government directory website by choosing the appropriate county from the pull down menu. Below is a listing of the Judicial Circuits and the counties that are included in each circuit.
Judicial Circuits |
Counties |
First Circuit |
Hickman, Fulton, Carlisle, Ballard |
McCracken |
|
Third Circuit |
Christian |
Fourth Circuit |
Hopkins |
Fifth Circuit |
Crittenden, Webster, Union |
Sixth Circuit |
Daviess |
Seventh Circuit |
Logan, Todd |
Eighth Circuit |
Warren |
Ninth Circuit Hardin |
Hardin |
Tenth Circuit |
Nelson, LaRue, Hart |
Eleventh Circuit |
Taylor, Green, Marion, Washington |
Twelfth Circuit |
Oldham, Henry, Trimble |
Thirteenth Circuit |
Jessamine, Garrard |
Fourteenth Circuit |
Bourbon, Scott, Woodford |
Fifteenth Circuit |
Carroll, Owen, Grant |
Kenton |
|
Seventeenth Circuit |
Campbell |
Eighteenth Circuit |
Pendleton, Harrison, Nicholas, Robertson |
Nineteenth Circuit |
Bracken, Fleming, Mason |
Twentieth Circuit |
Lewis, Greenup |
Twenty-First Circuit |
Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Rowan |
Twenty-Second Circuit |
Fayette |
Twenty-Third Circuit |
Estill, Lee, Owsley |
Twenty-Fourth Circuit |
Martin, Lawrence, Johnson |
Twenty-Fifth Circuit |
Clark, Madison |
Twenty-Sixth Circuit |
Harlan |
Twenty-Seventh Circuit |
Knox, Laurel |
Twenty-Eighth Circuit |
Lincoln, Rockcastle, Pulaski |
Twenty-Ninth Circuit |
Adair, Casey |
Jefferson |
|
Thirty-First Circuit |
Floyd |
Thirty-Second Circuit |
Boyd |
Thirty-Third Circuit |
Perry |
Thirty-Fourth Circuit |
McCreary, Whitley |
Thirty-Fifth Circuit |
Pike |
Thirty-Sixth Circuit |
Magoffin, Knott |
Thirty-Seventh Circuit |
Carter, Elliott, Morgan |
Thirty-Eighth Circuit |
Butler, Edmonson, Hancock, Ohio |
Thirty-Ninth Circuit |
Breathitt, Powell, Wolfe |
Fortieth Circuit |
Clinton, Cumberland, Monroe |
Clay, Jackson, Leslie |
|
Forty-Second Circuit |
Calloway, Marshall |
Barren, Metcalfe |
|
Forty-Fourth Circuit |
Bell |
McLean, Muhlenberg |
|
Forty-Sixth Circuit |
Breckinridge, Grayson, Meade |
Letcher |
|
Forty-Eighth Circuit |
Franklin |
Forty-Ninth Circuit |
Allen, Simpson |
Boyle, Mercer |
|
Fifty-First Circuit |
Henderson |
Graves |
|
Anderson, Shelby, Spencer |
|
Fifty-Fourth Circuit |
Boone, Gallatin |
Fifty-Fifth Circuit |
Bullitt |
Fifty-Sixth Circuit |
Caldwell, Livingston, Lyon, Trigg |
Fifty-Seventh Circuit |
Russell, Wayne |
Below is a chart with links to each county where you will find contact information for the county attorney.
County Attorneys |
County Attorneys |
|
Note: Although we strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state, this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.
Is a commonwealth attorney or county attorney claiming you violated the law? You might be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, but regardless, you should seek legal advice to help you better understand your rights and responsibilities. The best way to do that is to get in touch with an experienced criminal defense attorney near you.
Contact a qualified criminal lawyer to make sure your rights are protected.
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.