Criminal cases begin in district court. Our prosecution team only conducts arraignments and pretrial conferences. Misdemeanor offenses are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or up to a $500 fine, or a combination of both. These charges may include:
- DUI
- Shoplifting
- Domestic violence
- Assault
- Traffic offenses
Felony preliminary hearings are conducted in district court. Our team presents evidence to the court with the intent to establish probable cause that the individual accused committed the alleged offense. A preliminary hearing does not require the same high burden of proof required in a trial.
FAQ
Why do prosecutors make plea agreements?
Nationwide the majority of criminal cases are resolved through plea agreements. Numerous factors are considered with determining whether to offer a plea agreement, including the seriousness of the allegations, the likelihood of success at a trial, strength of evidence, credibility of witnesses, public safety, rehabilitation and deterrence.
Pursuant to the Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys, a prosecutor is to seek justice, and this is often achieved by a guilty plea.
Why does the Greenup County Attorney’s Office dismiss cases?
In each case, prosecutors weigh the circumstances and evidence available to determine how to proceed to obtain a just result. In some cases, a dismissal is justice. There are many reasons why prosecutors may decide or be compelled to dismiss a charge. Some of those reasons include:
- A lack of sufficient evidence
- Uncooperative victims or witnesses
- New evidence, such as crime lab results or a new witness, that calls the defendant’s guilt into question
- Inconsistencies in statements by victims or witnesses
- A victim or witness who cannot be located or is no longer credible at the time of trial
- A change in the law