Programs

The Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office handles many different types of serious criminal cases. Our prosecutors, victims' advocates and staff are involved in a number of units and programs which constitute the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. The following are brief descriptions of those specific areas, units and programs which are either part of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office or those in which it plays a part.

For more information, click on the program of interest.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PROTECTION
Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, Inc. is a child-friendly facility designed to lessen the trauma experienced by a child victim of sexual abuse as their case moves through the criminal justice system.
Multi-Disciplinary Team - The Fayette County Multi-Disciplinary Team for Child Sexual Abuse is an inter-agency group of professionals committed to two main goals: safety and concern for the child victims of sexual abuse, and accountability of the child sexual abuse service system.

CRIME PREVENTION & EDUCATION
Court's in Session, Inc. is an elementary school civics program designed by Susan Keegan, an educator, and Susan Blake, a prosecutor, while employees of the Office of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney. Its' purpose is to educate and enlighten children about the actual workings of the criminal justice system. The importance of good citizenship is stressed, as is the role of the jury. The program culminates in an actual trial in a real courtroom.
D.A.R.E. - Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) was first introduced in Kentucky right here in Lexington's public schools in 1987. This drug abuse prevention program is taught by trained police officers to elementary school students, hopefully before they face negative peer pressure in junior and senior high school. Since D.A.R.E.'s introduction in 1987, it has spread to elementary schools throughout Kentucky.
Safety City - Safety City stands as a monument to Lexington's dedication to the accident prevention education of our children. Thanks to the collaboration of government, businesses, and the Bluegrass Junior Women's Club, this 2 acre miniature city provides a "real life" classroom for elementary school children to practice pedestrian, traffic and vehicle safety rules. As an added incentive, battery powered "mini-cars" travel at 3 mph with the children at the wheel and allow them to experience vehicle safety firsthand. The program is taught by a full-time police officer.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is one of the most common of all crimes. Acts of domestic violence occur every 18 seconds in the United States. The Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has recognized the extent and seriousness of the problem of domestic violence and has assigned prosecutors and victims' advocates to deal with the growing number of criminal cases involving domestic violence.

ELDER ABUSE - As our population ages, abuse, neglect and exploitation of our elder citizens will become more of a problem. Prosecutors and investigators are developing innovative ways to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute crimes against our elderly.

FAST TRACK DRUG PROSECUTION PROJECT was established to take drug dealers and users off the streets of Lexington. The goal of the prosecutors assigned to the Fast Track Project is to prosecute drug crimes as quickly, consistently and effectively as possible.

JUVENILE CRIME PROSECUTION - In 1994 the Kentucky Legislature responded to the public's fear at the increasing number of armed and dangerous juveniles who not only possessed guns, but were willing to use them, and a juvenile code that kept the identity of these dangerous young felons from the public. The new law requires that any juvenile age 14 or older who uses a firearm in the commission of a felony will be tried as an adult. Prosecutors with expertise in the area of juvenile crime and prosecution deal with schools and law enforcement to more effectively deal with these cases and the public's safety.

NEIGHBORHOOD PROSECUTOR PROJECT recognizes that in addition to the individual victims of crime, someone else suffers when criminals break the law -- the community. This project, which is being implemented first in the Winburn neighborhood, seeks to empower neighborhood residents to deal effectively with public safety issues in their community. The project's primary goal is to develop a regular and working partnership between residents, prosecutors, police, and other government services and agencies. This project will not only provide a direct link to the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office for residents, but it will also give citizens the tools to solve problems in their neighborhood. Eventually, this project will extend to the entire city: prosecutors will be assigned cases by neighborhood, and they will know the concerns of their assigned area.

NEWSLETTERS are produced by the Office of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney. They are published as a criminal justice - law enforcement educational service to members of law enforcement, crime victims, their families and friends concerning current criminal justice issues.

PRESCRIPTION FRAUD PROJECT - Prescription drug abuse, theft and trafficking pose a significant criminal, social and economic problem in our community and state. Prosecutors are trained to deal with this growing problem of prescription fraud, theft of legal drugs, and trafficking of illegal drugs. Prosecutors assigned to the Prescription Fraud Project work closely with local, state and federal agencies on investigations and prosecutions.

REPEAT OFFENDER PROSECUTION-ENFORCEMENT (R.O.P.E.) - A small percentage of criminals are responsible for committing most of the crime. That's what the experts tell us. The R.O.P.E. Project seeks to identify, prosecute and imprison, for long periods of time, those who are convicted for second and third offenses. Prosecutors assigned to R.O.P.E. work to identify repeat offenders as soon as possible and to develop the strongest possible case against them.

SENIOR CITIZEN PROTECTION PROJECT is sponsored jointly by the Office of the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney and the University of Kentucky College of Law Elder Law Clinic. This project brings together the various agencies which work with and care about the elderly in our community. The Senior Protection Project was organized to facilitate communication about the problems facing the elderly between those agencies which have the ability to address and solve problems. Our goal is to work together to better investigate and prosecute those who physically abuse, neglect or exploit our senior citizens.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM was established in 1985. It was developed to address the needs of innocent victims of crime, their families and the survivors of homicide victims. Victims' advocates work closely with the prosecutors and act as a liaison between the victims and the criminal justice system. They also work with various local helping agencies and support groups in addressing the needs of the crime victim. Victims of crime deserve fair treatment and protection equal to that which is granted to the criminals. We seek to offer a complete and innovative support system to those individuals in our community who are confronted with the harsh realities of crime.