WORCESTER COUNTY— Donald Xenos, the first assistant and chief of the Juvenile District Court Unit for the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, received the Prosecutor’s Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association at its annual Access to Justice Awards Celebration on Saturday, June 7.
This award is given each year to a state or federal prosecutor who has shown exceptional dedication to public service and whose commitment to justice and community service is especially commendable.
“Don has had a profound impact on the day-to-day operation of the office, particularly when it comes to addressing juvenile crime. His commitment to the community and crime prevention is unparalleled,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. in nominating Mr. Xenos for the award. “He heads a team of some of our best and brightest prosecutors and with his outstanding leadership and through the team’s hard work, our efforts have led to a 78% reduction in juvenile delinquency rates over the last 16 years.”
Xenos, a Westborough resident, has been with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for 33 years and has been head of the Juvenile Unit since 2007.
“Xenos has balanced the need for accountability in juvenile justice with a concern for the future prospects of young offenders,” the MBA noted in a press release. “In leading a department focused on diversion, prevention and intervention, he has helped limit rates of youth incarceration by working to address problem behaviors rather than imposing the lifetime burden of a criminal record.”
Early highlighted Xenos’ crucial role in achieving his mission of maintaining community safety through rigorous yet equitable prosecutions and crime prevention via various community outreach programs.
Xenos also leads District Attorney Early’s Community Outreach Team, which has presented safety and crime prevention topics to over 700,000 attendees across Worcester County.
Additionally, Xenos serves on the board of the Worcester Community Action Council as the District Attorney’s public sector representative, striving to break the cycle of poverty “one neighbor at a time.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve my community through my work in the District Attorney’s Office and am very humbled to receive this award,” said Xenos in accepting the award.
