Experience
Innovation
Commitment
Vote
Goddard
for
Prosecutor
Personal Story
Rebecca is the child of a military family and returned to the community where her parents were raised as a teenager, graduating from North Newton Jr/Sr High School. As a young adult, she was the victim of a violent crime—an experience that shaped her perspective and sparked her interest in the criminal justice system. Concerns about how her case was handled by a prosecutor in another county motivated her to pursue a career dedicated to improving the system for others.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2015. In 2019, she accepted a position as a Deputy Prosecutor, quickly demonstrating her leadership and commitment to justice. She was promoted to Chief Deputy Prosecutor in 2020 and, in 2023, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney by a unanimous vote of the Newton County Republican Precinct Committeemen.
Her journey reflects resilience, dedication, and a deep-rooted commitment to serving her community.
Why She’s Running
With over a decade of legal experience and seven years as a dedicated prosecutor, Rebecca Goddard brings both skill and perspective to the role of Prosecuting Attorney. Her commitment to justice is demonstrated by her volunteer work helping identify three previously unknown murder victims whose cases had gone unresolved for nearly 40 years—bringing long-awaited answers to families and communities. She is focused on the future of prosecution, prioritizing the reexamination of cold cases and leveraging new technology to solve crimes that once seemed unsolvable. Just as importantly, she is a strong advocate for victims’ rights, ensuring their voices are heard, respected, and central to the pursuit of justice. Her approach combines experience, innovation, and a deep commitment to delivering justice for all.
Priorities
As Prosecuting Attorney, Rebecca’s priorities are rooted in public safety, fairness, and forward-thinking leadership. She is committed to aggressively prosecuting violent crime while ensuring ethical and transparent decision-making. A key focus of her administration is the systematic review of cold cases, using advancements in forensic science and investigative technology to bring resolution to long-unsolved crimes. She is equally dedicated to strengthening victim advocacy, expanding access to resources, and ensuring victims remain informed and empowered throughout the legal process. Her office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement and community partners to build safer neighborhoods while maintaining accountability at every level.
Experience & Qualifications
Rebecca brings more than ten years of legal experience, including seven years as a prosecutor handling a wide range of complex criminal cases. Her background includes extensive courtroom experience, case management, and leadership within the prosecutor’s office. She has served in key roles that required sound judgment, ethical decision-making, and the ability to navigate high-stakes cases with professionalism and integrity. Her experience equips her to lead an office that is both effective in prosecution and mindful of its responsibility to the community it serves.
Results & Impact
Throughout her career, Rebecca has prosecuted a broad spectrum of cases, including murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, sex crimes, crimes against children, and high-level felony drug dealing. In addition to these serious cases, she has handled thousands of misdemeanor and lower-level felony cases, demonstrating both depth and breadth of experience. Her work has contributed to safer communities and accountability for offenders, while her efforts in identifying previously unknown victims have brought long-overdue closure to families. She understands that every case matters—whether it draws public attention or not—and approaches each with diligence and respect for those involved.
Commitment to Victims’ Rights
A cornerstone of Rebecca’s approach is ensuring that victims are not overlooked in the justice system. She is committed to protecting victims’ rights, keeping them informed, and making sure their voices are heard at every stage of the process. She believes that justice is not only about holding offenders accountable, but also about supporting those who have been harmed. Her office prioritizes clear communication, compassionate advocacy, and meaningful inclusion of victims in the pursuit of justice.
Innovation & Public Safety
Rebecca is focused on bringing modern solutions to longstanding challenges in the criminal justice system. By incorporating new forensic technologies, digital evidence analysis, and data-driven strategies, her office is working to solve cases that were once considered unsolvable. Her leadership emphasizes continuous improvement, ensuring that investigators and prosecutors have the tools and training needed to meet evolving demands. This commitment to innovation strengthens public safety and increases confidence in the justice system.
Community Engagement & Leadership
Rebecca believes that effective prosecution requires strong community partnerships. She is an active member of the Newton County Child Protection Team and Child Advocacy Team, working collaboratively to safeguard vulnerable individuals. She serves as President of the Newton County Community Corrections Advisory Board and is a member of the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council, helping shape policies that improve outcomes across the justice system. Her office also leads the Drug Taskforce, utilizing the personnel and resources of the DEA to combat high-level drug trafficking and protect the community. Through these roles, she remains engaged, accessible, and committed to serving the public beyond the courtroom.
Get Involved
Support Rebecca’s campaign and help build a stronger, safer community. Whether by volunteering, spreading the word, or contributing to the campaign, your involvement makes a difference. Together, we can ensure a justice system that is fair, effective, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.