News

PAPERLESS SYSTEM:
Our office has implemented a paperless system for our prosecutors. Each attorney has a laptop computer, which is downloaded daily by clerical staff with all of the documentation needed for the prosecution of over 50,000 felony and misdemeanor cases annually.

Our attorneys can now interactively communicate about their cases. Through Internet connection, they can prepare their case responsibilities out of the office. This has eliminated our need to have paper copies for a limited time of a few days only, then throw the copies away. This new system will provide tremendous results in huge cost savings, as well as an increased proficiency for our prosecutors.

PROPERTY TAXES:
Did you know that if you do not pay your current year property taxes to the Sheriff by April 15th, your unpaid tax bill will become known as a Certificate of Delinquency, and on April 16th will be transferred to the Fayette County Clerk’s Office where it will be recorded as a lien on your property, pursuant to KRS134.122. This Certificate of Delinquency will accrue additional penalties and fees, and will incur one percent interest per year pursuant to KRS 134.125, until paid in full.

If your Certificate of Delinquency remains unpaid for 90 days after it is transferred, pursuant to KRS 134.452, “third-party purchasers” can then purchase your Certificate of Delinquency by paying the amount due. The Certificate of Delinquency is then reassigned to the “third-party purchaser." These “third-party purchasers” are allowed to charge additional fees, which can be very costly for the taxpayer.

However, a Certificate cannot be sold to a “third-party purchaser” if the taxpayer has entered into a payment agreement with the County Attorney’s Office, or if the subject property is involved in current litigation.

INTERNET CHILD EXPLOITATION:
This office is attacking this insidious problem in our community by active prosecution and prevention efforts through education. At the request of the United States Attorney's Office in Lexington, two of our prosecutors, Elizabeth Bancroft and Lindsay Hughes, have been selected to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys. This innovative program was made possible by Amul Thapar, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and both of these women have received invaluable experience in the case preparation and prosecution of federal crimes.

In the Spring of 2007, a joint program was created with Fayette County Schools, the United States Attorney’s Office and this office to recruit and train seniors in our local high schools about Internet safety from sexual predators. These students will teach students in the sixth grade of our middle schools using guidelines from a nationally accepted program known as I SAFE.