2026 Kentucky General Election

Anna ROBERTS-SMITH

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ABOUT

I am proud to be born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, in a family that has long valued the importance of education.

Vote Anna Roberts-Smith for Jessamine County Attorney

I graduated as Valedictorian from both Leestown Junior High School and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (1992). As a Governor’s Scholar and a participant in the Honors Program at the University of Kentucky, I completed my undergraduate degree with Honors in just three and a half years. I also obtained my law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

While at the University of Kentucky College of Law, I interned at the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, where I discovered my passion for prosecution. Upon graduation, I accepted a position with the newly elected Jessamine County Attorney, Hon. Brian Goettl, in Nicholasville, a community I have been a part of since 1999. I have built my legal career in Jessamine County, where my husband and I have raised our two sons, built our forever home, and watched both children embark on their collegiate journeys.

Anna Roberts-Smith is originally from Lexington, Kentucky. She completed an undergraduate degree with honors and earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She and her husband raised two sons.

While at the University of Kentucky College of Law, I interned at the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, where I discovered my passion for prosecution. Upon graduation, I accepted a position with the newly elected Jessamine County Attorney, Hon. Brian Goettl, in Nicholasville, a community I have been a part of since 1999.

Professionally, I remain committed to continuous learning and growth. Early in my career, I participated in Leadership Jessamine County to better understand my community and the people within it. I also attended the Kentucky Prosecutor’s Institute to refine my courtroom skills. After just two years as a prosecutor, I was promoted to Director of the Criminal Prosecution Division, and in 2007, I became the First Assistant Jessamine County Attorney.

Anna previously worked as a prosecutor in Jessamine County, including serving as director of the Criminal Prosecution Division and First Assistant Jessamine County Attorney. She also interned at the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office while attending law school.

Anna Roberts-Smith
1st Assistant Jessamine County Attorney

Responsibilities
Criminal prosecution of misdemeanors and traffic offenses within Jessamine County and representation of the County in civil proceedings.

Government Attorneys

Began serving as Jessamine County Attorney after 22 years as an assistant county attorney.

NICHASVILLE, Ky. — Anna Roberts-Smith was sworn in Friday, Feb. 27, as the new Jessamine County attorney, stepping into the top role after serving 22 years as assistant county attorney under outgoing County Attorney Brian Goettl. Her first day in the chair was Monday, March 2.

Anna Roberts-Smith sworn in as county attorney

Interned at the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office while attending law school.

Served as director of the Criminal Prosecution Division after two years as a prosecutor.

Served as First Assistant Jessamine County Attorney, prosecuting misdemeanor and traffic cases and representing the county in civil proceedings.

- Interned at the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office while attending law school.
- Served as director of the Criminal Prosecution Division after two years as a prosecutor.
- Served as First Assistant Jessamine County Attorney, prosecuting misdemeanor and traffic cases and representing the county in civil proceedings.

Legal Experience

In 2008, the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association recognized me as the “Assistant County Attorney of the Year,” largely due to the programs I initiated within the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office (JCAO). One such program was the “Student Driver Diversion Program,” which allowed high school students to earn a dismissal of minor traffic charges upon completion of a diversion program. This program remains operational today.

In 2008, the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association recognized me as the “Assistant County Attorney of the Year,” largely due to the programs I initiated within the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office (JCAO). One such program was the “Student Driver Diversion Program,” which allowed high school students to earn a dismissal of minor traffic charges upon completion of a diversion program. This program remains operational today. Additionally, I launched a law enforcement training program, in which I provided annual or on-demand training for local law enforcement officers on courtroom testimony, investigations, and law updates. This initiative fosters improved communication between law enforcement and the JCAO, an effort that continues today.

As I look to the future of the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office, my primary focus will be to continue fostering a justice system that is both fair and efficient while ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our community. I am committed to building on the foundation of innovation and service that has already been established within the office. I will continue to strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement, ensuring that our communication remains open and collaborative. As technology continues to change the landscape of law enforcement, I am committed to staying ahead of these advancements by providing our officers with ongoing, cutting-edge training to adapt to new legal challenges.

As I look to the future of the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office, my primary focus will be to continue fostering a justice system that is both fair and efficient while ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our community. I am committed to building on the foundation of innovation and service that has already been established within the office. I will continue to strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement, ensuring that our communication remains open and collaborative. As technology continues to change the landscape of law enforcement, I am committed to staying ahead of these advancements by providing our officers with ongoing, cutting-edge training to adapt to new legal challenges. I support the increasing need to address mental health and substance abuse issues. Going forward, I plan to explore partnerships with mental health professionals, social services, and other community resources to ensure that individuals who encounter the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office receive the comprehensive care and support they need within its resources.

I support the increasing need to address mental health and substance abuse issues. Going forward, I plan to explore partnerships with mental health professionals, social services, and other community resources to ensure that individuals who encounter the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office receive the comprehensive care and support they need within its resources.

CONTACT
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I am committed to ensuring that the Jessamine County Attorney’s Office remains transparent and accessible to the community. My goal is to continue advocating for a justice system that is inclusive, where all individuals—victims, defendants, and law enforcement—feel heard, respected, and supported.

Implemented a diversion program for student drivers, allowing high school students to have minor traffic charges dismissed after completing the program.

Launched training for local law enforcement officers on courtroom testimony, investigations, and legal updates.

Plans to strengthen collaboration with local law enforcement and provide ongoing training on new legal challenges.

Plans to explore partnerships with mental health professionals, social services, and community resources to address mental health and substance use.

Commits to a transparent, accessible justice system where victims, defendants, and law enforcement are heard, respected, and supported.

- Implemented a diversion program for student drivers, allowing high school students to have minor traffic charges dismissed after completing the program.
- Launched training for local law enforcement officers on courtroom testimony, investigations, and legal updates.
- Plans to strengthen collaboration with local law enforcement and provide ongoing training on new legal challenges.
- Plans to explore partnerships with mental health professionals, social services, and community resources to address mental health and substance use.
- Commits to a transparent, accessible justice system where victims, defendants, and law enforcement are heard, respected, and supported.

Criminal Justice

- A county attorney is an elected official who serves as both a prosecutor and the legal advisor for the county government.
- The county attorney prosecutes violations of criminal and penal law in District Court, including misdemeanors, infractions, juvenile cases, and other lower-level offenses.
- County attorneys are elected to four-year terms. Candidates must be at least 24 years old, a U.S. citizen, a Kentucky resident for at least two years, a resident of the county for at least one year, and a licensed practicing attorney for at least two years before election.
- Compensation varies by county, with salaries reaching approximately $184,000 in some areas, and county attorneys may also engage in private legal practice.

An attorney who prosecutes local cases and advises county government.