Prosecuting Attorney

Kristen Ellis Hilbrenner
Located in Lafayette Hall
116 S. 10th St.
PO Box 70
Lexington, MO 64067
Telephone - 660-259-6181
Facsimile - 660-259-2884

Mission:
The Lafayette County Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for safeguarding justice for all citizens by enforcing Missouri criminal laws and child support laws. Crimes prosecuted in this office range from traffic offenses to homicide following investigation by area law enforcement agencies.

Office Overview:
The Office of the Lafayette County Prosecuting Attorney consists of 3 attorneys, 3
Office Assistants, 1 Child Support Administrator and 1 Victim Advocate.

If you are being represented by an attorney, you must contact the attorney. We are prohibited from discussing a case directly with a defendant, or
friends or relatives of defendants.

Friends or relatives of a defendant should contact the jail for custody information, or the court for court dates OR contact the defendant’s attorney.

Services of the Lafayette County Prosecutors Office:
Bad Checks
Child Support Enforcement
Drug Court
Traffic
Victim Services

Protecting victim rights as set forth in the Missouri Constitution is a high priority of this office. Victims are provided many services which are listed below in more detail. Attorney General Chris Koster has additional information on victim’s rights on the Attorney General website. Our office keeps victims updated on the progress of each case and victims may also track court activity in a case through Casenet. Victims may also track the status of inmates serving a sentence in the Department of Corrections by accessing www.Vinelink.com

Bad Checks

Lafayette County Bad Check Restitution Program
Bad checks result in higher costs to consumers that are passed on by merchants in order to offset losses. Bad checks can also affect taxes due to the additional expense of law enforcement and prosecution. As your Prosecutor, I want to help avoid these and other problems caused by bad checks. The program seeks full restitution for victims without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system, when possible. Bad check offenders will receive a ten-day courtesy letter from our office; if payment is not received, the case will be considered for the filing of a criminal charge.

If you receive a bad check, follow these simple steps:
Step One - Complete a bad check report form.

Click on the link below for the proper form.

Bad Check Report Form
Affidavit

Step Two - Attach the check to the forms after making of copy for your records.

Step Three - If you received a notice from the bank that returned the check to you, attach it also.

Step Four - Deliver the original check and forms to our office at:

P.O. Box 70, Lexington, MO 64067 or
by hand-delivery between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (closed noon - 1:00 p.m.)(Excluding Holidays)
In order for a check to be eligible for the bad check program, it must meet the following requirements:

It was passed in Lafayette County for the purchase of legitimate goods or services, AND
It was presumed by you at the time of acceptance that the check was valid, AND

A photo I.D. (such as a driver's license) was documented at the time the check was passed. This is important for two reasons: First, it provides information we need to identify and locate the check writer. Second, it confirms that the check is not forged or stolen.

We cannot accept checks for the bad check program if one of the following is true:

The check is stolen or forged. Instead, report this to law enforcement for a possible felony investigation.
The check is post-dated. It is not recommended that you accept post-dated checks.
The check is a two-party check such as a payroll or travelers check.
You knew there were insufficient funds at the time you accepted the check.
You do not have proof that the check was rejected by a bank.
You cannot identify the check writer.

Please Note: If the bad check cannot be submitted to our office for one of the above reasons, you may be able to seek recovery in small claims court or with the help of a civil law attorney.

Child Support
To initiate a child support enforcement or paternity case, call or visit the
Warrensburg branch of the Family Support Division. Once a case is referred to the Lafayette County Prosecutor's Office by the FSD, we will contact you to discuss your case.

Additional child support information and related forms are available at the website
of the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk.

History

Chronology of Lafayette County Prosecutors:

Kristen Hilbrenner 2013-Present
Kellie Wingate Campbell 2009-2013
Wm. Page Bellamy 1994-2009
Tim A. Larimore 1990-1994
Weldon W. (Chip) Perry, Jr. 1980-1990
ElGene VerDught 1978-1980
J.G. Lauderdale 1962-1978
Forrest G. Roberts 1960-1962
Ike Skelton, Jr. 1956-1960
D.W. Sherman, Jr. 1950-1956
H. Townsend Hader 1948-1950
William Aull, III 1946-1948
Phil H. Cook 1940-1946
L.I. Morris 1936-1940
Arch M. Skelton 1932-1936
Wm. W. Schwartz 1930-1932
Ike Skelton 1926-1930
Frank Fulkerson 1924-1926
C.A. Keith 1918-1920
Clarence Vivion 1916-1918
William Aull, Jr. 1914-1916
C.A. Keith 1908-1914
Nicholas M. Houx 1906-1908

(Information provided by Lafayette County Clerk)

In 1996, Lafayette County become only the second county in the State of Missouri to implement a drug court. The purpose of the drug court is to increase the likelihood that offenders will successfully complete treatment and reduce the incidence of repeated offenses. Then in 2008, Lafayette County became the first rural county of its size to launch a domestic violence court with a nationally recognized program designed to provide supervision and intensive treatment for domestic violence offenders.

Victim Services

Notification of court dates
Notification of case continuance
Input on sentencing
Secure waiting room
Explanation of victim impact presentation options
Notification of final case disposition
Directions and free parking
Transportation arrangements when needed
Babysitting services if needed for court appearances
Personal escort from waiting room to the court room
Support and advocacy during criminal justice proceedings
Return of recovered personal property at conclusion of case
Collection of restitution, when court ordered
Referrals to appropriate social service agencies
Letter to employer to verify court appearance
Forms for Crime Victims' Compensation for medical and counseling expenses
Specialized Domestic Violence Unit.