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Attorney Services
Fiscal Court Advice
The Madison County Attorney serves as legal adviser to the Fiscal Court and the elected county officials. Legal documents are drawn on behalf of the county. The office participates in the defense of claims against the county and elected officials. As our county continues to grow and face new challenges, we continue to strive to provide competent legal counsel.
Victim Advocate
Many victims of crime feel both overwhelmed and overlooked with their experience in court. It can appear the defendants have all the rights and the victims have none.
In order to address this problem, the Madison County Attorney’s Office employs a full time Victim Advocate. The primary role of the victim advocate is to assist and support victims of crime.
If you have been victimized by criminal conduct, please let us help you. Whether the issue is financial restitution, assistance in preparing for court, or answers to the many questions that victims may have, we will be happy to assist you.
Candice Kelley
Victim Advocate
135 West Irvine Street, Suite 202
Richmond, Kentucky 40475
859-624-4777 Ext. 3 (Phone)
859-624-9439 (Fax)
Juvenile Court
Our office represents the Commonwealth of Kentucky in pursuing actions on behalf of and against juveniles. There are two primary classes of cases against juveniles; public offenses and status cases.
A public offense is an incident which would be considered criminal if the offender was an adult. These cases range from rather minor offenses to those that are quite serious. These proceedings are confidential and are geared toward rehabilitation. In an extreme case, a juvenile may be transferred to regular court to be tried as an adult.
Status offenses include truancy, runaways, and beyond control cases. These offenses are usually heard in family court, whereas the public offenses are resolved in district court.
Not only do we pursue cases against offending juveniles, we also bring actions on their behalf. All children deserve safe, nurturing homes. We pursue actions against parents who neglect or abuse their children, and those who don’t provide basic care to them. A child may be removed from a home if their parents cannot demonstrate that they can properly provide for their children.
Prosecution
The Madison County Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of many different types of offenses that occur here. These include most traffic offenses, misdemeanors, felonies during the initial stages of prosecution, juvenile proceedings, and certain city or county ordinance violations.
The office has 4 experienced and dedicated assistants who along with the County Attorney, devote much time and energy in seeing that justice is served. Please see the staff directory for more information about the assistants.
For most cases, the first appearance of a person accused of a crime is called an arraignment. At this stage, a person is advised of what he or she is charged with and enters a plea of guilty or not guilty. A person who cannot afford an attorney may be given a public defender at this stage. If a person pleads not guilty a trial date will be set. Subpoenas will be issued to witnesses and evidence will be presented on behalf of the Commonwealth at the trial. If a person is found guilty, he or she will be sentenced by the Judge.
Guardianship
Kentucky Revised Statutes provide that the County Attorney’s Office shall assist in actions to determine if a person is partially or totally disabled and in need of a guardian or conservator. After a petition for determination of disability is filed, an interdisciplinary team is appointed to conduct an investigation. That team consists of a physician, a psychologist, and a social worker. The team will make a report to present to the court.
Under present law, only a jury can make the determination whether a person is in fact disabled. If the jury so finds, it is then up to the judge to decide who should be appointed as guardian or conservator.
