Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Andreios S. Alexander, 27, of Lawrence, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for aggravated sexual battery of a then 33-year-old Lawrence woman.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Jalil L. Brown, 30, of Lawrence, will serve 36 months probation after receiving a 73-month suspended sentence for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and sexual exploitation of a child.
All parties in the case met through the District Attorney’s Office’s Independent Assessment Conference (IAC), a voluntary program overseen by a retired judge in which the typical court process is condensed using the assistance of an experienced mediator, who is trained in trauma-informed practice. A fundamental aspect of the IAC is the empowerment of victims through their engagement in the process.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Adrian J. Martinez, 39, of Lawrence, was sentenced to a total of 109 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence and aggravated battery while driving under the influence for causing the 2022 New Year’s Day crash that killed a 20-year-old Lawrence man.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced today that a Lawrence 17 year old has been charged with first degree murder of a Lawrence 14 year old.
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The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) announces $210,000 in funding is available through its 2023 Natural & Cultural grant program. An additional $75,000 is available this year for projects that inform Douglas County’s Open Space planning.
The Heritage Conservation Council encourages applications that focus on the conservation of cultural, natural, agricultural or environmental resources, or projects that produce educational programs or products on these topics. All projects must take place in Douglas County, Kansas, and be completed within two years.
The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office mailed change of value notices for about 41,290 properties on Feb. 28. The information includes last year’s value and the new 2023 value.
Property owners who want to appeal their value need to fill out the request form on the back of the notice and submit it to the Appraiser’s Office by 5 p.m. March 30. It can be mailed or dropped off at the office, which is located in the basement of the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Bruce S. Springsteen, 65, of Lawrence, was sentenced to a total of 92 months in prison for attempted sexual exploitation of a child by conducting internet searches for child pornography and violating his probation terms.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Matthew David Zaitz, 34, of Topeka, was sentenced Friday to 52 months in prison for a 2020 crash that seriously injured his passenger.
Landowners typically burn their fields and brush piles – commonly referred to as prescribed burning - in the spring. The practice is used to restore native grasslands, recycle nutrients, control woody plants and weeds, and improve certain wildlife habitat.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Kenneth W. Mills, 36, of De Soto, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility for parole for 25 years for criminal sodomy of a three- to four-year-old at the time of offense.
Douglas County Emergency Management and the Topeka National Weather Service are hosting “Weather 101,” a free severe weather training at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. It will include information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of storm features and safety tips.
Starting on Monday, March 6, Douglas County Route 458 (N1000 Road) is scheduled to be closed for construction at two locations:
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of aggravated sexual battery against Axel R. Bordelon, 30, of Lawrence, for a 2014 case involving a then-19-year-old University of Kansas student.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Ernest F. Ingram II, 22, of Ottawa, was sentenced to 253 months in prison for raping a 13-year-old Lawrence girl in 2021 and six months for furnishing alcohol to the minor for illicit purposes.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against Brandon A. Seepersad, 26, of Lawrence.
Public Works is accepting applications for the 2023 user-fee dust control program. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 10.
UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 1
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Adrian J. Martinez, 39, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence and aggravated battery while under the influence for causing the 2022 New Year’s Day crash that killed a 20-year-old Lawrence man.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Eduardo Martinez Diaz, 16, of Lawrence, was sentenced for two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm in connection to a 2021 shooting in north Lawrence.
The University of Kansas School of Law’s Legal Aid Clinic will host a Clean Slate Criminal Record Expungement Clinic this spring in partnership with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office and the Lawrence Public Library. The clinic will take place in person from noon to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont St.
When Dagna D’Ercole started as a Lawrence Police Department dispatcher in 1989, the dispatch center looked much different than it does today with all the technology in the now-consolidated Douglas County Emergency Communications Center.
K-State Research and Extension – Douglas County, in partnership with the Douglas County Community Foundation, is hosting a four-part series, “Welcome A-Board: Board Leadership Basics,” that begins Feb. 16.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has begun a 30-day public comment period for the draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): Transportation 2050. The plan identifies future needs and makes investment recommendations for all modes of transportation including automobile, public transit, bicycle, pedestrian, etc. This plan reflects the feedback and perspectives provided from the community engagement conducted in 2022. This plan is required by federal regulations to ensure funding for transportation projects throughout Douglas County.
The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council is conducting an intensive historic resources survey of downtown Baldwin City. A public information meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Baldwin City Public Library, 800 Seventh St., with survey consultants to provide details about the survey and answer questions. The work consists of research, field survey and a project report. The survey focuses on buildings and structures that are at least 50 years old.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Bruce S. Springsteen, 65, of Lawrence, plead no contest Friday to attempted sexual exploitation of a child by conducting internet searches for child sexual abuse material, a violation of his probation terms set in a similar 2021 case.
In partnership with the Douglas County Community Foundation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Network Kansas, and Forward Cities, Douglas County is excited to kick off the E3 Nation Tour. This event will help our community take next steps on the path towards designing, leading and sustaining equitable entrepreneurial communities in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Douglas County’s annual operating budget serves as the most significant policy document, maintaining core County services, while prioritizing key investments that support the prosperity and health of our community.
"Upon receipt and review of the forensic pathologist’s report dated January 3, 2023 and having conferred with other attorneys in this office, I have concluded that at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution of Ms. Buchhorn," District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced in a statement released Wednesday.
Notice of Sheriff's Sale of real estate situated in Douglas County, Kansas on January 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. in the County Commissioner Chambers, 1100 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas.
The Douglas County District Attorney's Office will continue to enforce our Brady/Giglio Policy with our law enforcement partners to ensure that our prosecutions comply with federal and state constitutional law. The court’s recent ruling has no bearing on enforcement of our policy.
Before the year winds to an end, we want to give a very special shout-out to Eudora machinist Wayne Neis who fixed the Courthouse clock!
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Ernest F. Ingram II, 22, of Ottawa, agreed to plead guilty to rape, a level-one person felony, and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes, a level-nine person felony.
County Commissioners approved a map for five districts during their Dec. 21 meeting. They also will recommend waiting until the 2024 general election for election of the two new Commission districts. They will send their recommendation to Governor Laura Kelly.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Benson Jerome Edwards Jr., 20, of Topeka, was sentenced to 89 months in prison for his involvement in the shooting during a robbery of two teen brothers at Holcom Park in 2019.
The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office will be closed Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26, to coincide with the Douglas County District Court’s closure that includes not holding Traffic Court on Friday, December 23.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that juries in two separate trials returned guilty verdicts against John Timothy Price, 34, of Lawrence, for incidents that occurred in September 2021. In his first trial that concluded Wednesday, Price was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of misdemeanor criminal damage to property. In his second trial that concluded today, Price was found guilty of one count of interference with law enforcement-obstruction, two counts of criminal damage to property, one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property and two misdemeanor counts of battery against a law enforcement officer.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Lawrence Police Department officers involved in the shooting death of Michael Scott Blanck at 1715 E. 21st Terrace on October 2, 2022, were justified in their actions.
The Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council was recently accepted into the National Network of Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (NNCJCC) by the Justice Management Institute. Douglas County is among 12 new member jurisdictions, bringing the total number of councils represented in the network to 40.
Douglas County District Court Administrator Linda Koester-Vogelsang received the Culture of Health Award from WorkWell Douglas County during the LiveWell Douglas County annual celebration breakfast on Nov. 18 at the Cider Gallery. Linda leads the Douglas County District Court wellness program, and her team was recognized for their continued wellness efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts on one count of aggravated battery and one count of driving under the influence against Matthew David Zaitz, 34, of Topeka.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Jose Alfredo Galiano-Meza, 29, of Overland Park, was sentenced to 68 months in prison in the fatal hit and run of a Eudora girl and for injuries caused to her grandfather in the crash that occurred in May.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced that the State will appeal the District Court’s decision Tuesday to grant probation to a Lawrence man convicted of rape.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Zachary Jonathan Lang, 38, of Lawrence, was sentenced to 330 months for aggravated criminal sodomy.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Katy Britton has been named the 2022 Kansas Prosecutor of the Year by the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (KCDAA).
LAWRENCE – The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office will offer limited services Monday, October 24, and Tuesday, October 25, to implement a paperless case management system and to provide staff training on the new system.
LAWRENCE – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Gary D. Boyington Jr., of Lawrence, agreed to plead guilty to felony charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated assault after the State rested its case Tuesday.
LAWRENCE – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts on one misdemeanor count of domestic battery and one count of battery against David I. Pratt, 34, of Lawrence.
LAWRENCE – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced the District Attorney’s Office will reinstate fines and fees for all traffic infractions and traffic diversions beginning Friday, October 7, 2022.
Defendants will again be responsible for both traffic court costs, currently $108, and for fines associated with the traffic infraction. The Douglas County fine schedule for traffic infractions can be found on the District Attorney’s website at: https://bit.ly/dgcotraffic.
LAWRENCE – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts on one count of felony aggravated burglary, one count of felony aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count of stalking against Lee Andrew Mitchell Pennington, 34, of Lawrence.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez recently announced the hiring of veteran prosecutor Jennifer Tatum as a Chief Assistant District Attorney.
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced the Independent Assessment Conference (IAC) as the name for her office’s criminal mediation initiative, clarifying the IAC’s role in promoting victims’ rights and interests while upholding offender accountability.
The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office is aware that members of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department’s communications team have been posting videos obtained during pending investigations across social media or sharing these investigative videos with other forms of media outlets. These video clips are often edited such that they are not representative of the entire incident for which individuals may or may not be criminally charged by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
The University of Kansas School of Law’s Legal Aid Clinic will host a Clean Slate Criminal Record Expungement Clinic in partnership with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office and Lawrence Public Library. The clinic will take place in person from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont St.
LAWRENCE – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict on one count of rape against Ray C. Atkins, 22, of Lawrence.
LAWRENCE –Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced a jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, one count of battery, and three counts of aggravated endangering of a child against Charles D. Thomas II, 37, of Lawrence.
LAWRENCE – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict on one count of aggravated sodomy of a child sex against Kenneth W. Mills, 35, of De Soto.
Today, Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez joined with 64 other elected prosecutors in pledging to personally visit the correctional facilities in which individuals prosecuted by their offices are placed and to require all prosecutors in their offices to do the same. The pledge’s signatories – who represent over 50 million people across 28 states and territories and the District of Columbia – emphasize that “it is vital for prosecutors to understand the true impact of their decisions and to see firsthand the jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities in their jurisdiction.” The pledge is part of FAMM’s #VisitAPrison challenge, which encourages all state and federal policymakers to visit a prison or jail.
District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that the State is appealing the District Court’s decision to grant probation to a man convicted of one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of criminal threat.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision today to overturn Roe v. Wade, Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez has joined 82 other elected prosecutors from around the nation who are committed to use their well-established discretion and refuse to prosecute those who seek, assist in or provide abortions, calling the criminalization of abortion care “a mockery of justice.”
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Timothy Glen Martins, 47, of Lawrence, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility for parole for 25 years for a conviction of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
LAWRENCE – The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office has taken the position not to aggressively prosecute end users for possession of small quantities of THC products. This is a matter of prosecutorial discretion based upon effective allocation of resources and prevailing community interests.
This office has never ceased to pursue illegal distribution of controlled substances. These operations pose significant and substantial community health and safety risks and frequently result in ancillary criminal conduct.
Today, District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced that the Douglas County District Court Traffic Dockets for January 14, January 21, and January 28, 2022 have been continued due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
“In light of our current situation, it simply is not safe to conduct business as usual with what is typically a large docket, causing many people to crowd into the courtroom,” Valdez said. “The health and safety of our community should always be our top priorities.”
Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that her office has instituted a formal Brady/Giglio Policy, which is intended to promote the State’s obligation to disclose exculpatory and impeachment information to criminal defendants and to seek a just result in every case.
Courthouse:
1100 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:
111 East 11th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044