Office of the District Attorney
18th Judicial District
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District Attorney John Kellner
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The primary objective of the Office of the District Attorney is to seek justice. While we are tough on crime, we are also dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of crime victims and preventing crime.
The office serves as a driving force for many initiatives and deterrent or rehabilitative programs that work to reduce crime, protect victims and enhance the lives of district residents.
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The 18th Judicial District (JD) is comprised of four counties:
Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln.
Our office proudly serves over 1.1 million people.
The 18th JD is the most populated judicial district in the state of Colorado.
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Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney John Kellner is pleased to announce that his jurisdiction is the first in Colorado to unveil an online interactive Data Dashboard. Being open and transparent is one of DA Kellner’s CORE values, and this tool will make more information available to the public about his office and its work on an ongoing basis.
“I pledged during my campaign to be open and transparent, and this tool is one step in fulfilling that promise. We are public servants, and the public has a right to meaningful information about what we do. These interactive Data Dashboards provide more information about our operations to the public. I believe this increased access to information will shed more light on the criminal justice process for my constituents.”
“It is my intent to expand and refine the Data Dashboards to include more information as we find ways to reliably provide it while respecting privacy rights of defendants and victims and maintaining the integrity of our cases,” Kellner said. “I am incredibly proud of the work we do in my office, and I am committed to finding ways to highlight it. I am happy to lead the way in making this data available to citizens.”
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(Data is regularly refreshed - examples below)
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Dashboard 1
The Past Year
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Dashboard 3
Case Dispositions
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Dashboard 4
Sentence Outcomes
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DA Kellner Launches Diversion Program to Address Adult Addiction
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The Recovery Diversion Program targets adults with limited or no criminal history who are charged with possessing small amounts of illegal drugs. These cases will be identified by the DA’s Office based on established eligibility criteria. Defendants who opt in will contact our community behavioral health partner, AllHealth Network, to complete a substance abuse screen and engage in treatment as recommended by the treatment provider. Once participants have demonstrated engagement in treatment the case will be dismissed.
DA Kellner believes everyone’s safety is important and it is time to try something new. “Drug overdose deaths increased 29 percent nationwide in 2020 during the pandemic. The CDC reports that in Colorado, our numbers increased more than 37 percent, to 1,512. Now is the time to take action to address addiction and possibly save lives.”
For more information, contact Sarah Ericson, Director of Diversion: Click Here. The exact eligibility criteria for Recovery Diversion and details are below.
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It is important to District Attorney John Kellner that he and his office
are transparent and open with constituents and stakeholders. He wants opportunities for people to ask questions and for him to present his thoughts and ideas. Part of that is a quarterly town hall meeting with the community.
Next event is at end of September.
Details will be posted at:
March 30, 2021:
June 29, 2021:
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Here to Educate, Protect, and Serve.
The District Attorney’s Office hosts, supports, and attends community events throughout the year in order to provide an important presence to the community. Our office strives to assist in making community members aware that we are here to listen and to help work with them to strengthen the community against crime and violence.
If you are interested in having our office speak to your organization or participate in a public safety-related event, please Contact Us
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Presentations
Consumer Fraud
Protection Unit
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Schedule a date and topic to hear
about current trends, concerns, and fraudulent activities in our district, around Colorado, and nationally.
New subjects are offered monthly.
Stay informed!
Schedule Presentation:
Subscribe to CFP Newsletter:
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Domestic Violence
Fast Track
The county court “Domestic Violence Fast Track Program” (Fast Track) was developed to ensure that both the victim and the accused receive a speedy hearing in court. Under Colorado’s domestic violence mandatory arrest policy (18-6-803.7), if an officer finds probable cause to believe domestic violence has occurred he/she must arrest the offender and transport them to jail for booking. The defendant appears in court the next business day following the offense.
A Notice to Appear is given
to the victim requesting their presence the same day the defendant appears. Being present at court allows
victims to:
- receive immediate support
- request special conditions for bond
- leave with a copy of their mandatory protection order (MPO) or have one emailed to you
- meet with a deputy district attorney
- discuss a possible disposition of their case
- begin safety planning with a victim advocate
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The Fast Track program strengthens victim safety by holding the offender responsible quickly and effectively. Under this program, misdemeanor domestic violence cases receive the
quick response they deserve.
DA Kellner's message is here
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In the Courtroom
People v. Ewing
“This case impacted not just the victims, but it also terrorized an entire community. A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again.”
District Attorney John Kellner
It took 37 years, but on August 17, 2021, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle sentenced Alex Christopher Ewing, 61, for killing the couple and their 7-year-old daughter in 1984. Vahle imposed life in prison for each of the three murders, to be served consecutive to Ewing’s prison term in Nevada and to each other.
“I have seen all kinds of evil and wickedness … nothing compares to the level of depravity that your actions show in this case,” Vahle told Ewing. “There is no punishment that is too harsh for you … and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never draw a free breath ever again.”
For years the case was cold, until in 2018 a DNA profile the killer left at the scene was matched to Ewing. He was brought to Colorado to face trial for the murder of the Bennett family. The Prosecution team included DA Kellner, Chief Deputy District Attorney Garrik Storgaard and Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Brewer.
More news coverage in links below:
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“Operation Restore” was
a joint effort with the Aurora Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Marshals Service to locate and apprehend violent criminals with active arrest warrants within the city of Aurora. Over a two-week span, the team arrested 116 fugitives with active warrants ranging from murder, attempt murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, sex assault, sex assault on a child, and many more. The team also took nine guns off the street and out of the hands of felons. Our office also played an integral role in the success of this operation, from the planning stages in April through execution.
Much credit goes to our Intake team and the Organized Crime Unit for reviewing and processing approximately 50 warrants to help locate these criminals and get them apprehended. The city of Aurora is a little safer because of these efforts. DA Kellner's highlights: Click Here
Full news conference is below.
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Officer-Involved Shootings (OIS):
Investigations of officer-involved use of
deadly force or potentially deadly force present a unique set of circumstances, which make them more complex than routine investigations. Law enforcement agencies in the 18th Judicial District pool resources through a Critical Incident Team to investigate the incidents, and the District Attorney’s Office determines whether the use of force was lawful or criminal.
OIS Reports and Critical Incident Team protocol are below.
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newsletter here:
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