Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney
Justice for Campbell County.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Kentucky’s 17th Judicial Circuit prosecutes felony crimes in Campbell County on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth.
Rob SandersSpecial Commonwealth’s Attorney
The Office
What the Commonwealth’s Attorney does
In Kentucky, each judicial circuit has a Commonwealth’s Attorney who prosecutes felony cases in Circuit Court. In the 17th Circuit, that means Campbell County.
Looking for a different office? Misdemeanors, traffic offenses and juvenile cases are prosecuted in District Court by the Campbell County Attorney, which is a separate office. See who handles what
Prosecuting felonies
The office represents the Commonwealth in felony cases, the most serious crimes under Kentucky law, in Campbell Circuit Court.
Presenting cases to the grand jury
Prosecutors present evidence to the Campbell County grand jury, which decides whether a felony charge goes forward.
Keeping victims informed
The office tells victims about the proceedings in their case and works with the witnesses who are called to testify.
Working with law enforcement
Prosecutors work with the police agencies that investigate crime in Campbell County, from the first report through trial.
Special Commonwealth’s Attorney
Rob Sanders
Rob Sanders serves as Special Commonwealth’s Attorney for Kentucky’s 17th Judicial Circuit, leading the prosecution of felony cases in Campbell County.
He is also the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 16th Judicial Circuit in neighboring Kenton County.
Services
Find a service
How the office handles each kind of case, and what it means for victims, witnesses and the public.
Felony cases in Campbell Circuit Court, from the grand jury through sentencing.
Your rights as a crime victim, what to expect from the prosecutor, and where to find help.
Felony theft, bad checks, card fraud, identity theft and scams: how they are charged and reported.
When unpaid child support becomes a felony in Kentucky, and how those cases reach Circuit Court.
How Kentucky law punishes abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults, and how to report it.
How mental illness or intellectual disability can affect competency, defenses and sentencing in a felony case.
When a juvenile felony case can move to Circuit Court, and how youthful offenders are sentenced.
How Kentucky’s felony pretrial diversion program works, who qualifies, and what happens at the end.
What Kentucky grand juries do, how cases reach them, and what serving as a grand juror involves.
Asking a court to order addiction treatment for a relative or friend.
How a Case Works
The path of a felony case
A felony case passes through two courts and several stages before it is resolved. This is the usual order in Kentucky.
Investigation and charge
Police investigate and file a charge, or the case is presented directly to the grand jury.
District Court
Most felony cases start in District Court, where a judge sets bond and decides at a preliminary hearing whether there is probable cause to send the case on.
Grand jury
Twelve citizens hear the evidence in private. If at least nine agree there is enough to proceed, they return an indictment.
Circuit Court
The defendant is arraigned before a Circuit Judge. Both sides exchange evidence and the court rules on motions. Many cases end here with a guilty plea.
Trial
At trial the Commonwealth must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A jury of twelve must agree unanimously on its verdict.
Sentencing
After a conviction or a guilty plea, the judge imposes the final sentence. Victims may give a statement about how the crime affected them.
Every case is different, and this outline leaves out many details. It is general information, not legal advice.
Victims & Witnesses
If you are the victim of a crime
Kentucky’s Constitution gives crime victims a voice in the criminal case. These protections are often called Marsy’s Law.
The prosecutor represents the Commonwealth rather than any one person, but you have the right to be kept informed and to be heard as the case moves through court.
Your rights under Kentucky law
- To be notified of the court proceedings in your case
- To be present at those proceedings
- To be heard at hearings on release, a plea or sentencing
- To consult with the prosecutor handling the case
- To reasonable protection from the accused
- To be told, on request, if the accused is released or escapes
- To have your safety considered when bail is set
- To full restitution from a convicted defendant
Contact
Find the office
Newport, KY 41071
To report a crime
Crimes are reported to law enforcement, which investigates before a case reaches this office. Contact your local police department.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.