{"id":373539,"date":"2023-09-26T15:48:37","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T20:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-09-26T15:48:37","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T20:48:37","slug":"kentucky-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Kentucky District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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The commonwealth’s attorney is an elected position with a tenure of six years. Each of Kentucky’s 57 judicial circuits has a commonwealth’s attorney. Each circuit court represents one to four counties. Commonwealth’s attorneys prosecute circuit court cases.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Two attorney groups handle criminal law violations in Kentucky:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Commonwealth’s attorneys<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  2. County attorneys<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    The commonwealth’s attorney prosecutes<\/a> felony crimes in Kentucky. The position is like a district attorney or the state’s attorney in other states.<\/p>\r\n

    The county attorney prosecutes misdemeanors<\/a> that happen within the county.<\/p>\r\n

    Both positions are elected. Their support staff includes prosecuting attorneys, paralegals, and victim advocates.<\/p>\r\n

    These attorneys play pivotal roles in addressing criminal charges within their jurisdictions.<\/p>\r\n

    Commonwealth’s Attorney<\/h2>\r\n

    The commonwealth’s attorney’s primary responsibility is to prosecute felonies<\/a> such as:<\/p>\r\n