Under the United States and Kentucky Constitutions, a person accused of a felony offense can be prosecuted only after being indicted by a Grand Jury.  The division acts as legal advisor to the Grand Jurors, citizens empanelled monthly, presenting evidence to the twelve person body in support of charges brought by warrant or police arrest.

Carol Cobb - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Carol Cobb was the Division Chief of the Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Division of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in Jefferson County from 1989 until her retirement in January, 2009. Upon her return to the office several months later, she was assigned to assist the Grand Jury. During her long and distinguished career as a trial prosecutor, Ms. Cobb prosecuted over 500 felony domestic violence, child and elder abuse cases, including many high-profile matters. She has been a member of numerous community and criminal justice agencies and committees dealing with the issues involved in domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. She has spoken at numerous trainings for police, prosecutors, service providers and physicians on the issue of violence against women and children. In addition she has also been a presenter for domestic violence training in Constanta, Romania on two occasions. Ms. Cobb was recognized as Prosecutor of the Year in 1991 by the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and in 1999 by the Kentuckians Voice for Crime Victims (KVCV). In addition, she received the LifeTime Achievement Award in 2008 from the Jefferson County Women’s Lawyer Association.

Ms. Cobb received a B.A. in Spanish and piano at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Alabama, and her J.D. at the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1987.

Kathleen Reed - Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Ms. Reed received her license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1989 and came to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney in September of 1989.  Ms. Reed received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1985 from the University of Louisville and her Juris Doctor from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in 1989.  Before coming to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney Ms. Reed worked as a law clerk for the law firms of Middleton & Reutlinger and Hirn, Reed, Harper & Eisinger.  Ms. Reed is a member of the Jefferson County Public Law Library Board and serves as a treasurer for its Foundation.  Ms. Reed works on the Parent Teacher Organization of St. Raphaels Parochial School and a member of the Planning Committee for the Annual Walk for Multiple Sclerosis.  Ms. Reed was on the Deans List for both the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville and Transylvania University.  Ms. Reed has received the CLE award from the Kentucky Bar Association for her dedication to continued legal education.  Ms. Reed also worked on the Journal of Family Law, the University of Louisville Law Review, at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.  Ms. Reed is a professional member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville Bar Association, and the National Academy of District Attorneys.  Ms. Reed is currently assigned to the Grand Jury division.

Martina Surma - Administrative Assistant
Judy Comstock - Administrative Assistant
Elaine Kappell - Grand Jury Clerk