Lucas County Prosecutor's Office

07/04/2026

Today, we join communities across the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

As you celebrate with family and friends this Independence Day, please do so safely and responsibly. If your plans include alcohol, use a designated driver or another safe way home. Celebrate with professional fireworks shows, not gunfire. Bullets fired into the air must come down, and celebratory gunfire can seriously injure or kill innocent people.

Whether you're on the road or on the water, make safety part of your celebration.

From Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates and all of us at the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office, have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

07/03/2026

The Lucas County Prosecutor's Office is closed today, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The office will reopen July 6, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

Please be safe, celebrate the holiday responsibly, and use a designated driver whether you're on the road or on the water.

07/02/2026

Thank you to Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County for assisting victims of the Old West End Festival shooting outside our office today. We are grateful for your partnership in ensuring victims receive the support and resources they need.

06/08/2026

On Sunday, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates shared the attached statement regarding the shooting at the Old West End Festival on Saturday evening.

The Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office wants those who attended the festival, whether as patrons, vendors, volunteers or in any other capacity, to know that support is available. If you witnessed this act of violence or have been affected by it, the Toledo/Lucas County Victim-Witness Assistance Program is here to help.

For assistance, please contact:

• Vera Sanders, Director of Victim Assistance Services 419-213-4994

• Gloria Mathis, Coordinator, 24-Hour Crisis Response Team 419-245-3127

Spanish-language services are available.

04/22/2026

The Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office was proud to take part in the second annual El Centro SMART Hub Health Fair on Tuesday at the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center.

Norma Ramos Prater, our Hispanic/Latino outreach coordinator and a victim advocate, connected with community members and shared information about how our office can help.

Events like this strengthen relationships and ensure more people know where to turn for support.

04/08/2026

Today is Wear Blue Day across Ohio and the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office stands in support of preventing child abuse and neglect.

Members of our office planted blue pinwheels in the garden of the Lucas County Courthouse to honor the children impacted by abuse in cases our office advocated for over the past year.

One is too many.

03/10/2026

For the fifth straight year, the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office and Julia R. Bates are proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Advocates for Victims and Justice Inc. Golf Outing.

Join us May 30, 2026, at Eagles Landing Golf Club in Oregon and help support victims of violent crime in Lucas County.

03/05/2026

Check out the sale benefitting our friends at Advocates for Victims and Justice Inc. The opportunity to purchase runs through March 22, 2026!

Advocates for Victims and Justice, Inc. is once again proud to be part of Jūpmode's "Here for Good" sale, which highlights organizations making a difference in and around Toledo.

Thank you to Jupmode for creating a program that helps support local nonprofits. When you purchase an Advocates for Victims and Justice, Inc. "Here for Good" shirt or sweatshirt, a portion of every sale goes directly toward helping victims of violent crime in Lucas County.

Please note: this is a pre-order sale and items will ship after the sale ends.

https://www.jupmodesupply.com/products/advocates-for-victims-and-justice-inc-here-for-good-2026

02/26/2026

Last week, Patricia Wardrop and Melissa Nowakowski from the Juvenile Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office spoke to about 150 fifth through eighth grade students at Christ the King Catholic School Toledo about cyberbullying and how to stay safe online.

The internet can be a powerful tool, but it also comes with risks. Our team discussed responsible online behavior, recognizing cyberbullying and what steps students can take if they or someone they know needs help.

We appreciate the opportunity to connect with students and continue proactive education efforts in Lucas County.