for Dignity and Justice for ALL of Lexington!

Angela's Platform

A new era of criminal justice reform requires a new model of prosecuting cases.

As County Attorney, my administration will focus on ways to reduce people from re-offending, in addition to imposing consequences for criminal behavior. My goal is to prosecute cases effectively in a way that ultimately reduces the rate and number of people re-offending. As County Attorney, I will commission a long-term review of negotiated plea agreements to determine if they are actually reducing the occurrence of that crime and the number of people re-committing that crime.

As a former public defender, I know that criminal behavior is often the result of adverse childhood experiences, substance abuse or unaddressed mental health issues. It is THOSE issues we must address as a community to reduce crime, and improve people’s quality of life so they can have a better chance of becoming the productive citizens Lexington needs them to be.

Government must be transparent, now more than ever, to rebuild the trust it has lost with so much of the public.

My goal is to provide a comprehensive report of the County Attorney’s Office, that will provide a more complete view of criminal cases and the outcomes. Additionally, I will make fiscal and operational audits readily accessible to the public. I will value the trust you place in me and be a good steward of your tax dollars. I will freely hold myself accountable to you, and report how your tax dollars are being utilized.

As County Attorney, I will also consistently engage and communicate with the community. District court is “the people’s court” and Lexington deserves a County Attorney who will avail herself to the public, listen to their concerns and work with all stakeholders to make Lexington safer for us all.

As a former public defender, General Counsel to KY Secretary of State, and Assistant KY Attorney General I have worked to ensure the Commonwealth of Kentucky treats everyone fairly.

Prosecutorial discretion, in the form of plea bargains, can actually be a tool of justice. Prosecutors with various life experiences, individually and as a staff, who are well-trained to increase their cultural competencies and be aware of their own unconscious biases in case reviews can lead to a more just negotiation process and plea agreements, while still holding individuals accountable for violating the law.

Research has shown that alternatives to jail sentences and comprehensive social services can help prevent people from committing additional crimes.

I will advocate with social service providers and other stakeholders for more funding of: specialty courts, accessible and affordable drug rehabilitation and mental health services, and more economic opportunities for individuals with criminal histories, to help prevent individuals from re-offending.