DUI Homicide Unit Receives MADD Award
The DA’s DUI Homicide Unit received Prosecutor of the Year Award from MADD. Learn more about DUI Homicide Unit in this video.
23 New Prosecutors Join the DA’s Office
Meet our 23 newest Deputy District Attorneys!
They took their oath and were sworn by DA Summer Stephan as part of the class of 2021, on Friday.
The group of new prosecutors collectively speaks seven languages and they bring diverse professional and personal experiences to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
WATCH MORE IN THIS VIDEO:
New Program to Keep Minors Out of the Criminal Justice System
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced an ambitious new Juvenile Diversion Initiative designed to keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system while addressing the underlying cause of harmful behavior. Watch more in the video. [TWEET THIS]
2021 Citizens of Courage Honored in Virtual Ceremony
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan honored seven brave local heroes this week at the San Diego County District Attorney’s 30th Annual Citizens of Courage Awards, held every year during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Because of the pandemic, the annual event was canceled in 2020 but was held virtually this year on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
“By honoring these brave individuals, we are highlighting the extraordinary courage of victims and good Samaritans, who were placed in dangerous and trying circumstances,” DA Stephan said. “We’re also shining a light on the thousands of crime victims our DA team has the honor of serving every year and the importance of supporting victims’ rights.”
This year’s Citizens of Courage recipients include:
- Kevin Eslinger – Confronted by an aggressive surfer, he was savagely attacked in the waters off Sunset Cliffs and Suffered serious injuries.
- Sherveen and Warshan Ali – Abducted by their father and taken to Iraq, this brother and sister outsmarted their abductor and protected one another.
- Isabel Rosales – Stabbed in the neck by her husband while her children were in the next room, she survived and now supports victims of domestic violence.
- LaMar Johnson – Put himself in danger when he came to the aid of his neighbor who was being attached, preventing a sexual assault and supporting the victim.
- Alicia Villegas – Delivered justice for her murdered brother by helping police gather important evidence and testifying against the defendant, a career criminal.
- Emma H. – Overheard a student making a threat to carry out a school shooting and alerted authorities, leading to ridicule and threats of intimidation against her.
The District Attorney’s Office is committed to assisting crime victims through its Victim Assistance Division. In 2020, Victim Advocates assisted 14,444 victims of crime. For more information on the services and resources the DA’s Office offers to help prevent crime, click here.
Veterans Treatment Court Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
Sometimes people need a second chance instead of jail. That’s what Veteran’s Treatment Court continues to provide as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of this valuable program. Watch more in this video. [TWEET THIS]
Read more about this Veterans program, here.
New App Supports Children Exposed to Trauma
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, local police and schools unite to launch a new App that will help support children exposed to violence or trauma. Watch more in this video. [TWEET THIS]
Read more details, here.
Meet the DA’s Crime Prevention Specialists
Preventing crime is part of the District Attorney’s mission. See what our Crime Prevention Specialists do for the community in this video. [TWEET THIS]
Connecting with the Community During COVID-19
Before the pandemic, the DA’s Community Partnership Prosecutors were physically in the community helping find solutions to public safety-related problems across the county. Now, they’ve adapted their roles to continue building bridges and keep us all safer. Watch more in this video. [TWEET THIS]
Where can we do better for crime victims?
The DA’s Office supports more than 13,000 victims of crime every year with a variety of important services. But as a community, we know we can do even better. That’s why the DA hosted the first-of-its-kind Victim and Survivor Summit, which brought together hundreds of community members virtually. District Attorney Summer Stephan explains the goal of the summit in this video. [TWEET THIS]
CARE Center Distributing Food to Thousands of San Diegans in Need
The DA’s CARE Center has adapted its services not only because of COVID-19 but because it has also seen an increase in the community’s need for food access. Watch more in this video. [TWEET THIS]