how to choose commonwealth's attorney

by Dannie Kerluke 10 min read

The voters in every county and city shall elect an attorney for the Commonwealth unless otherwise provided by general law or special act. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall exercise all the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon such officer by general law.

Full Answer

How do I choose the right lawyer?

The Commonwealth’s Attorney is the community leader who shapes its justice system. Thousands of cases come through the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office each year and it’s the job of the officeholder to ensure the community’s values are front and center when determining how to treat those cases.

Do you have a regular lawyer?

Commonwealth's Attorney. 1st Circuit: Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman. Hon. Mike Stacy. 133 North Fourth Street, P.O. Box 788. Wickliffe, KY 42087. Phone: (270) 335-5656. Fax: (270) 335-3807. Commonwealth's Attorney. 2nd Circuit: McCracken.

What does a Kentucky commonwealth's attorney do?

Oct 14, 2014 · The Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys must be lawyers, licensed to practice in Kentucky. As with other lawyers, prosecutors generally complete a four-year college degree and then go to law school, which generally takes three more years. After graduation, Kentucky requires lawyers to pass an examination to ...

How to find a reliable lawyer?

Boards and Commissions Vacancies - Application Deadline March 15, 2022. Public Information Advisory - February 23, 2022 Special Meeting - Decennial Voter District Redistricting. Governmental Operations Standing Committee Meeting - February 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting - February 22, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.

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How is the Commonwealth's attorney chosen?

In Virginia, local prosecutors are elected constitutional officers called Commonwealth's attorneys. That means change begins at the ballot box. Prosecutors decide whether anyone arrested by the police gets tried for a crime, and who gets charged with what.

What is the responsibility of the commonwealth's attorney?

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney – Rocket Docket Division The Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney is responsible for all aspects of the prosecution of felony and misdemeanor cases in Jefferson Circuit Court, and in any other jurisdiction when appointed as a Special Prosecutor.

Who is VA Commonwealth attorney?

Bryan Porter presently serves as Commonwealth's Attorney in Alexandria. He has been a prosecutor since 2001 and began his first term as Commonwealth's Attorney in January 2014.Sep 24, 2021

Are Virginia Commonwealth attorneys elected?

The voters of each city and county in Virginia elect a commonwealth's attorney to serve a 4-year term. ... Beyond his or her prosecutorial role, each commonwealth's attorney is also required by state law to perform a number of civil functions.

What is the responsibility of the commonwealth's attorney in Spotsylvania?

criminal prosecutionThe Commonwealth's Attorney is responsible for coordinating the criminal prosecution in the County's three courts, as well as appeals to the Court of Appeals.

Who is Kentucky's Commonwealth Attorney?

Thomas B. WineThomas B. Wine Commonwealth's Attorney. Thomas B. Wine, first elected as Commonwealth's Attorney in 2012, was elected to a second term in 2018, which will expire January 5, 2025.

Who won Roanoke Commonwealth Attorney?

Attorney Don CaldwellRoanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell was elected to an 11th term Tuesday. With 22 of 23 precincts reporting, Caldwell had 56% of the vote, according to unofficial results.Nov 2, 2021

Does Virginia have district attorneys?

A Virginia Commonwealth Attorney is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case (i.e., the official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses). Other states call them district attorneys (or "D.A.s"), but they serve the same functions.Feb 25, 2019

How many prosecutors are in Virginia?

The Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys (VACA), which represents all 120 elected prosecutors in the state, has generally opposed the kinds of reforms now under discussion.Jul 20, 2020

How do you become a prosecutor in Virginia?

Steps to become a Lawyer/Attorney in VirginiaFinish Your Virginia Undergraduate Pre-Law Education.Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Go to Law School in Virginia.Take the Virginia State Bar Exam and become an Attorney.Now that You've Been Admitted to the Bar.

Is the county administrator elected in Virginia?

They are all elected at large. In most counties, the board of supervisors appoints the county administrator, who is the chief executive of the county government and has the responsibility of overseeing all administrative matters not assigned to one of the constitutional officers.

What happens if you ignore a court order?

A subpoena is a court order to appear at court at the time and date specified. Ignoring a court order may have legal consequences including fines and incarceration.

How long is the Kentucky bar exam?

Kentucky’s “bar exam” takes two days and occurs once in July and once in February. Although prosecutorial salaries are usually less than can be obtained in private practice, the chief rewards are in making a difference in the community, seeing that justice is done, and speaking for victims of crime.

Can a victim drop charges in Kentucky?

Many people incorrectly believe that a victim has the power to “press charges” against the abuser, or to later “drop the charges”. All crimes are offenses against the community, not just the individual victim. Criminal complaints are prosecuted on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, not the individual who called the police, or the person who may have been personally harmed by the defendant’s conduct. Requests to dismiss or “drop” charges must be approved by the prosecutor before being placed before the judge. This is important because it takes the responsibility for prosecuting the abuser off the victim’s shoulders and makes it the prosecuting attorney’s responsibility, where it legally belongs. It also means that the defendant cannot “pressure” the victim into dropping the charges.

How to get money from probation?

Call the Office of Probation and Parole and ask for the probation officer who is assigned to the case. The probation officer can help you get your money if restitution was a condition of the defendant’s probation and if the defendant is still on probation.

Can you get compensation for pain and suffering in Kentucky?

With regard to compensation for pain and suffering, you may need to contact a private attorney.

How to get a copy of a police report?

The defense attorney can obtain a copy of the police report from the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for his or her criminal defendant. If you are the victim of a crime, you can obtain a copy of the police report by making a request to the police department where the crime occurred. I want a divorce.

Can a prosecutor speak to a defense attorney in Kentucky?

As long as you are represented by a defense attorney, a prosecutor may speak only to that attorney. Any questions that you have about your case should be answered by your attorney. If you continue to be dissatisfied with your court-appointed attorney, you will have to contact the judge assigned to your case.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

What is real estate law?

Real estate and property law also comprise the financing aspects of property, such as mortgages, liens, and foreclosures. If you have purchased or are thinking about purchasing real estate property, whether you are considering a house, a commercial building or a piece of land, you may want to consult with a real estate lawyer in order ...

How many years of experience do real estate lawyers have?

Your real estate lawyer should have several hundred or better yet, thousands of transactions and several years of experience. This means that the lawyer will have pretty much seen it all and can provide the right guidance and advice during the course of your transaction.

Do real estate agents need a lawyer?

Sometimes real estate agents do not have the necessary legal training, and their contracts are usually just standard forms.

What is an action in court?

An action in court involves the lawyer’s payment, court costs and other costs. If you have already hired a lawyer from the very beginning, you won’t have this kind of problems anymore. Obviously, hiring a lawyer costs, but in this way you will save much later expenses. Please login to follow content.

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