Two and a half years ago, Anna Witt, 29, was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility. She describes that moment as the darkest point in her life, but also as the turning point. “When I was arrested that was the beginning of my life for me, and I’m so blessed that it happened.”

Due to the recent rain and wet conditions, Douglas County Public Works has temporarily reopened Route 458 to traffic from East 1900 Road to East 2000 Road. Barricades have been removed and traffic can proceed through the project. Detour and road closed signs will be removed or covered on Monday, May 13.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today (May 3, 2019) that Topeka resident Ahmad Rayton, 23, was sentenced after pleading guilty to attempted voluntary manslaughter for attempting to kill Robert Wheeler during the deadly confrontation that occurred on October 1, 2017 on Massachusetts Street. 

For the first time since she can remember, 23-year-old Shyanne Smith is looking forward to the future.  “I never thought that I would be able to live clean and be happy, but I am,” she said.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today, in conjunction with the American Bar Association’s Law Day 2019, that he filed a motion for a court order to recall 2,433 arrest warrants in old Douglas County criminal and traffic cases.  Law Day, held annually on May 1, is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law.  Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.

Douglas County and partner agencies will host an event May 14 to recognize the community collaboration and work that has been accomplished to significantly reduce the number of people with serious mental illnesses in the Douglas County Correctional Facility. It will be 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St., and is being held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month and Stepping Up Month of Action.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office partnered earlier this year with the University of Kansas Legal Aid Clinic, Douglas County Legal Aid Society, and Kansas Legal Services to offer an Expungement Clinic that was held on Friday, February 22.  The hard work of staff from the agencies and financial support from the Kansas Bar Foundation ensured the success of the clinic.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today, Thursday, April 18, 2019, Christina L. Towell, 38, was sentenced for her part in the November 2017 homicide of Mr.

The Douglas County Public Works Department announces that Route 458 (North 1000 Road) from East 1900 Road to East 2000 Road will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, April 29, weather permitting, for the resumption of construction project activities.

Douglas County and partner agencies will provide an update about behavioral health initiatives during a community event “New Directions in Behavioral Health” 5:30-7 p.m. May 6 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. The event is free, open to the public and being held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month.

Longtime Douglas County District Attorney’s Office employee Cindy Riling was honored today at the 22nd Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Conference with the state’s 2019 Crime Victims Service Award in the System-Based Advocate category. The award was presented at a luncheon today by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that former Lawrence resident Albert N. Wilson, 23, was sentenced yesterday (4/3/2019) after being found guilty at his January 2019 jury trial for crimes committed in September of 2016. The Court sentenced Wilson to the mitigated sentence of 147 months for rape by force or fear. As part of his sentence Wilson will be subject to lifetime post release supervision and lifetime sex offender registration.