In the early 1990s, crime was at a historic high. The “tough on crime” movement rose in response, and the nation saw expanded mandatory minimums, three-strikes, and zero-tolerance laws. Youth were a particular focus, with gang violence plaguing most major cities.

It was in the wake of these troubling trends that a small team of influential law enforcement leaders questioned how to prevent crime in the first place.

This group included current and former NYPD commissioners, Elliot Richardson (U.S. Attorney General under President Nixon and Ford) and other concerned police chiefs, sheriffs, district attorneys, and crime survivors from around the country. In 1996, they launched Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national group of law enforcement leaders who would work to prevent crime by helping at-risk children succeed in life.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ members and staff realized that law enforcement wasn’t the only sector affected by young people’s trajectories in life. In 2006, they formed the nonpartisan nonprofit Council for a Strong America in order to create a launching pad for other organizations of American leaders who care about the next generation’s ability to become productive members of society.

Earlier this year Tom Wine was asked to serve on the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids National Leadership Council! The National Leadership Council is comprised of some of our country’s most engaged members, including chiefs of police, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors.

The National Leadership Council will urge other law enforcement leaders to join the organization; provide feedback as Fight Crime: Invest in Kids explores new policy issues to tackle. The Council will be an advocate with corporations and foundations to help fund Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ work; speaking out for evidence-based policies and programs that steer kids away from crime; and, as opportunities arise, be a national spokesperson for the organization.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Links:
Facebook
Official Website

Special thanks to all who donated directly or through the website. It was a great experience and we helped a special cause. Team Commonwealth was the top fundraiser for the event!

From the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Click here for PDF download of this document.

OFFICE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
30^th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
THOMAS B. WINE, COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Media Release: July 21, 2016

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 JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT ADDRESSES JAIL OVERCROWDING

Chief Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Charles L. Cunningham, Jr., in consultation with the general term of the Jefferson Circuit Court, has entered an emergency order that will allow a limited number of non-violent individuals to be transferred from the Metro Department of Corrections’ main facility to its Home Incarceration Program.

The order provides that a list of proposed candidates will be provided to the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney at least 48 hours prior to any modifications in custody.  This period will allow our office the opportunity to either object to said changes or, if we don’t object, to advise the victims of the change in custody.

This order is designed to address the current jail overcrowding issue. It was circulated at recent meeting of the Jail Policy Committee. That meeting was attended by prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, correction officials, citizen advisors, and other court officials. All recognized that the jail overcrowding issue is a matter of utmost concern.  As failure to address this problem in the past led to Federal court intervention, I believe it is better for local officials to act now in order to maintain control of pretrial incarceration.

The inmate custody modifications are expected to begin next week.

Thomas B. Wine
COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY
Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney
514 W. Liberty Street
Louisville, Kentucky
40202

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The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office occupies a critical position in the criminal justice system. Commonly referred to as the District Attorney in most states, the Commonwealth’s Attorney must focus the power of the state on those who defy its laws. As legal representative for the people, the Commonwealth’s Attorney has the duty to seek justice for all. Visit www.louisvilleprosecutor.com for more information.

PLEASE CONTACT
Jeff Cooke
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
514 West Liberty Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Tel: 502-595-2340
Mobile:  502-262-5809
Email:  JCooke@louisvilleprosecutor.com

Lawyers and a paralegal from the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney who attended the 2nd Annual Charles Anderson / Louisville Black Lawyers Association awards dinner last night at The Olmstead. Among the honorees was the late Judge Benjamin Shobe. In attendance from our office (pictured left to right) were First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Erwin Roberts, Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Wine, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Adrienne Henderson, Paralegal KaBrenda Warfield, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Mauricus Lofton, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jessica Moore, and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephany Hunter.

Today’s swearing in of our new First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Erwin Roberts.