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What We Do
Duties and Responsibilities of County Prosecutors
The office of the Knox County Prosecuting Attorney represents the interests of the citizens of the State of Ohio, Knox County, and Knox County Government in many aspects of civil and criminal law. The Prosecutor's Office operates with four divisions: a Criminal Division, a Civil Division, an Appellate Division, and a Victim/Witness Assistance Division.
Criminal Division
The Criminal Division represents the citizens of the State of Ohio and Knox County in prosecuting criminal cases in our County's Common Pleas Court and the Juvenile Court. The Knox County Prosecutor also renders legal advice and assistance to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and our County's three Police Departments. The child support enforcement unit locates and prosecutes "deadbeat" parents with large child support arrearages.
Civil Division
The Civil Division provides legal representation to all County elected officials and their respective offices. It also provides legal representation to all County Boards and Commissions, the County's twenty-two Townships, their Trustees, Fiscal Officers and Zoning Boards. This Division represents all of these entities in matters of litigation in State and Federal Courts, contracts, personnel matters, collection of real estate and personal property taxes owed the County, representing the Department of Job and Family Services in matters of abused, neglected and dependent children, and rendering general legal advice to all of the County and Township officials.
Appellate Division
The Appellate Division provides legal representation in all legal matters of the Criminal and Civil Divisions involving appeals from local Court decisions to Knox and Federal Appellate Courts.
Victim/Witness Assistance Division
The Victim/Witness Assistance Division provides assistance and information to victims of crime, and witnesses in criminal cases, together with referrals to other quality support services offered in Knox County. The Victim Advocate is available twenty-four hours a day to assist victims of crimes such as domestic violence, stalking, assault, sexual abuse, child abuse, drunk driving, etc., and to assist the families of homicide victims. These services are available to all residents of Knox County, or anyone who becomes the victim of a crime in Knox County. This Division's trained advocate is available to lend immediate support to victims of crime, to accompany them to court appearances, provide information and guidance concerning the criminal justice system, make referrals to appropriate social service agencies and counselors, provide information concerning payment of medical bills from State funds, and to notify victims and witnesses concerning important hearing dates and the status or outcome of criminal cases in which they are involved. This division is staffed by a Victim Advocate, and the division is funded almost entirely by state and federal grant money.
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