Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Dan Knight
Phone: (573) 886-4100


Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight Becomes Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys President

October 2, 2014

2014—Dan Knight is set to take the reins of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (MAPA). Knight, who is the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney, will lead the Association that represents Missouri's 115 elected prosecutors over the next year.

"I am very honored to be selected as president," said Knight. "I have a great amount of respect for the dedicated and hard-working prosecutors across this state, and I look forward to promoting the cause of justice through this Organization."

"The Criminal Code Revision will provide the foundation for the modern criminal justice system in Missouri," said Knight. "It is now time to build on that momentum with the goal of providing the best possible prosecution services to the citizens of the State of Missouri. For example, less than one-half of our counties have prosecutor-based victim advocates to assist crime victims with upholding their constitutionally guaranteed rights. This is woefully inadequate. As a profession, we have an obligation to ensure that crime victims' rights are protected. We can and must do better."

Knight also will preside as MAPA continues to roll out its initiative on researching and promoting the best practices for law enforcement investigations and prosecutions. The MAPA Best Practices Committee is researching methods designed to improve the criminal justice system and address complex issues routinely confronted by law enforcement investigators and prosecutors.

Knight is the 45th president of MAPA since its inception in 1969. He succeeds immediate past-president Stone County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Selby. Moniteau County Prosecuting Attorney Shayne Healea is the Association's president-elect. Other officers include Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray and Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell.

Knight is the elected prosecutor for Boone County. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. In 1992, he received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. In 1992 Mr. Knight was hired as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Boone County and in 1998 he was promoted to the position of First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. In 2007 he began his first term as the elected prosecutor and he now is in his second term. In 2012, Knight was named Prosecutor of the Year by MAPA.

During his career at the Boone County Prosecutor's Office, Knight has handled thousands of criminal cases of various types and he has tried numerous serious jury trials as first chair including eighteen murder cases. In addition to his trial duties, he manages a staff of thirty-seven employees including twelve assistant prosecutors. Knight lives in Columbia. He is heavily involved in charitable work in the Central Missouri area and he is affiliated with numerous civic/service organizations.



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