Commonwealth’s Attorney Courtney T. Baxter

Commonwealth’s Attorney Courtney T. Baxter Official page for Courtney T. Baxter, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit

Courtney Baxter has been Commonwealth's Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit since January 1, 2013. Prior to being elected Commonwealth's Attorney she served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for seven years. In 2010 she was appointed to fill the vacancy of County Attorney in the office of the Oldham County Attorney's office. With over 20 years of felony prosecution experience, Courtney ha

s a proven record of being tough on crime. As Commonwealth's Attorney, Courtney is responsible for the prosecution of all felony crimes in the 12th Judicial Circuit (consisting of Henry, Oldham and Trimble Counties).

07/15/2026

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of John Carter.
I had the opportunity to work with John during his years as County Attorney. He was a true partner with our office who always cared about protecting the people of Oldham County.

John was a friend, a good friend. Before I became Commonwealth’s Attorney he invited me to an event for retired FBI agents. Because of that invitation, I was able to reconnect with my dad’s partner, someone I hadn’t seen since my father passed away in 1986. It meant more to me than John probably ever knew.

Please keep John’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

07/09/2026

One of the questions we hear most often is, “How does a felony case get started?”

Many felony cases begin with the filing of a criminal complaint in District Court.

A criminal complaint is a sworn document that alleges there is probable cause to believe a criminal offense has been committed. Depending on the circumstances, a criminal complaint may be filed following an arrest or through the County Attorney’s Office after a law enforcement investigation.

Once a felony complaint is filed, the case begins in District Court. Unless the defendant waives that right, a preliminary hearing is held. The purpose of a preliminary hearing is not to determine guilt or innocence. Instead, the District Judge determines whether there is probable cause to believe a felony offense was committed and that the defendant committed it.

If the court finds probable cause, the case is held over for consideration by the Grand Jury.

Not every felony case begins in District Court. Kentucky law also permits certain investigations to be submitted directly to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for legal review and presentation to the Grand Jury without a preliminary hearing.

Regardless of how a case reaches our office, our responsibility remains the same. We review the evidence, evaluate the applicable law, communicate with victims and witnesses, fulfill our constitutional and ethical obligations, and prepare the case for the next stage of the judicial process.

Every case is evaluated individually based on the facts, the evidence, and the law.

06/23/2026

Meet the Team

People often think of a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as the prosecutors they see standing in a courtroom.

But justice is a team effort, and much of the work happens behind the scenes. Every day, dedicated professionals work to support victims, assist witnesses, prepare cases, manage discovery, coordinate with law enforcement, and keep the justice system moving.

I am fortunate to work alongside an exceptional team serving the citizens of Oldham, Henry, and Trimble Counties.

⭐ Nikki Moore – Office Manager and Discovery Paralegal

Nikki has been with me since the beginning—and even before that, when I was an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. She keeps the trains running on time and wears more hats than anyone can count. There is very little Nikki can’t do and nothing she won’t do to help the office and the people we serve.

⭐ Teresa Lakes – Executive Administrative Assistant

Teresa somehow manages to keep track of everyone, where they are, what they need, and what needs to happen next. Herding prosecutors and staff can sometimes feel like herding cats, but Teresa does it with patience, good humor, and a willingness to help wherever needed.

⭐ Hannah Collett – Grand Jury Paralegal and Executive Assistant

Hannah brought invaluable experience from the Circuit Court system when she joined our office. She coordinates Grand Jury and Rocket Docket preparation, assists with case management, and helps ensure that the countless details involved in felony prosecution are handled efficiently and accurately. Her organization, initiative, and knowledge have made her an indispensable member of the team.

⭐ Katie Graves – Administrative Assistant

Katie serves as our part-time administrative assistant and provides valuable support to the entire office. Whether assisting with motions, docket preparation or stepping in wherever needed, Katie’s flexibility and willingness to help contribute to the smooth operation of the office and support the work of the entire team.

⭐ Cindy Majesto – Victim Advocate

Cindy is a shared victim Advocate with the Oldham County Attorney’s Office. She is a lawyer by training and has devoted her career to serving some of most vulnerable. Cindy works tirelessly to ensure victims are informed, supported, and treated with dignity throughout the criminal justice process.

⭐ Pam Taylor – Victim Advocate

Pam is a shared advocate with the Henry County Attorney’s Office. Pam recently joined our team after years of public service with the Henry County Clerk’s Office. She is an excellent addition to our team who moved naturally into her role serving victims and families in Henry and Trimble Counties with compassion and dedication.

⭐ Josh Clubb – First Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney

Josh has worked alongside me for virtually my entire tenure as Commonwealth’s Attorney. In addition to helping supervise felony prosecutions throughout the circuit, he also serves part-time as an Assistant County Attorney in Trimble County. His experience, sense of humor, sound judgment, and skills in courtroom are some of the many reasons that he is an indispensable member of our team.

⭐ Mike Swansburg – Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney

Mike also serves part-time as an Assistant County Attorney in Henry County. Long before joining the office, he generously volunteered his time as a prosecutor for many years. His commitment to public service and his dedication to the citizens we serve made him a natural invaluable addition to the team.

⭐ Rob Riley – Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney

Rob handles Oldham County cases and brings more than forty years of experience in criminal law. His a distinguished career as a criminal defense attorney, brought tremendous experience and perspective to our team. There is no substitute for his passion for the law and commitment to mentorship.

⭐ Tessa Kilbane Hughes – Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and County Attorney

I first came to know Tessa through her work as a public defender. Her talent and professionalism caught my attention, and I was fortunate she agreed to join our team. Today, she serves both Oldham and Trimble Counties and reflects the collaborative spirit that helps us better serve our communities.

As for me, I have the privilege of serving as Commonwealth’s Attorney, but my position is not a one person job and none of this work is done alone.

Kentucky law allows Commonwealth’s Attorneys and County Attorneys to share personnel and resources, helping us provide efficient and effective service to our communities. Several members of our team serve both offices, ensuring that taxpayers’ resources are used wisely and that our citizens receive the highest level of service possible.

Over the coming months, we look forward to introducing each member of the team individually and sharing more about the important work they do every day.

Justice is a team effort, and these are the people who make it happen.

We are proud to serve the citizens of Oldham, Henry, and Trimble Counties and grateful for the trust you place in us.

06/10/2026

Many people have heard the title Commonwealth’s Attorney but may not know what the office does.

A Commonwealth’s Attorney is the elected prosecutor responsible for prosecuting felony criminal offenses on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Our office does not represent individual victims, law enforcement agencies, or government officials. We represent the Commonwealth and are charged with seeking justice under the law.

The responsibilities of a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office include:

⚖️ Reviewing felony cases submitted by law enforcement

⚖️ Presenting cases to the Grand Jury

⚖️ Prosecuting felony cases in Circuit Court

⚖️ Evaluating evidence and making charging and plea recommendations

⚖️ Ensuring that defendants receive the constitutional protections guaranteed by law

⚖️ Trying cases before juries when necessary

⚖️ Working closely with victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process

⚖️ Making reasonable efforts to ensure victims are informed of their rights under Marsy’s Law and are afforded the protections guaranteed by the Kentucky Constitution

⚖️ Ensuring victims’ rights are communicated, protected, and considered throughout the prosecution of a case

Kentucky’s Constitution guarantees important rights to crime victims through Marsy’s Law, including the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect; the right to receive information about court proceedings; the right to be heard at critical stages of a case; and the right to confer with the prosecution.

The role of a prosecutor is not simply to obtain convictions. Our duty is to seek justice by following the facts, applying the law fairly, protecting the rights of victims, and safeguarding the constitutional rights of the accused.

Grateful for our local law enforcement—today and always. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued ...
01/09/2026

Grateful for our local law enforcement—today and always. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued commitment to protecting and serving our community. It is a privilege to work alongside you all. 💙🚓

Merry Christmas! We hope the joy of the season surrounds you and your loved ones, now and throughout the coming year. 🎄
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! We hope the joy of the season surrounds you and your loved ones, now and throughout the coming year. 🎄

Address

115 West Main Street
La Grange, KY
40031

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