WESTBOROUGH – A Westborough resident and member of the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office has received the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Prosecutor’s Award during the association’s Justice Awards Celebration.
Donald Xenos is the first assistant and chief of the Juvenile District Court Unit. He has been with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for 33 years and headed the unit since 2007.
“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,” he said.
The Prosecutor’s Awards is given to a state or federal prosecutor who has distinguished themselves in public service, and whose commitment to justice and serving the communities where they live or work is praiseworthy.
“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. “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 also oversees the Community Outreach Team, which gives presentations on safety and crime prevention topics throughout the county.
In awarding him, the association noted, “Xenos has balanced the need for accountability in juvenile justice with a concern for the future prospects of young offenders. 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.”
