In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are sharing stories from DA employees about how they got to where they are today. Deputy District Attorney Agustin Peña’s life changed completely after a family tragedy, but even through adversity, he was determined to make a difference in his community.
District Attorney Summer Stephan joined County officials in the grand opening of a free-standing crisis stabilization unit in Vista on September 30. This new resource is for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis and it was a recommendation of the DA’s Office that was included in the Blueprint for Mental Health Reform. Watch more in the video.
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Crisis-Stabilization-Unit-Vista-Video-Thumbnail.jpg7201280Barbara Medina/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngBarbara Medina2021-10-05 15:14:372021-10-05 15:14:37Crisis Stabilization Unit Opens in Vista
Being the voice to the voiceless is what inspired Deputy District Attorney Ana De Santiago to become a prosecutor and give back to the community. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are sharing inspirational stories from DA employees about how they got to where they are today. Learn more about DDA De Santiago’s story in this video.
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ana-DeSantiago.png9281686Barbara Medina/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngBarbara Medina2021-09-15 09:14:532021-09-15 09:14:53Inspired by her Community
This past weekend, the DA’s Office hosted a Day of Action to STOP fentanyl overdose deaths for the community to learn about the dangers of this opioid and how to save a life. Watch more in this video.
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANewsCenter-Video-Thumbnail-Fentanyl-Day-of-Action.png7201280Barbara Medina/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngBarbara Medina2021-08-31 15:31:372021-08-31 15:31:37Day of Action Against Fentanyl
The DA’s DUI Homicide Unit received Prosecutor of the Year Award from MADD. Learn more about DUI Homicide Unit in this video.
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DUI-homicide-unit-MADD-award.png7201280Barbara Medina/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngBarbara Medina2021-07-07 17:46:352021-07-07 17:48:56DUI Homicide Unit Receives MADD Award
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:
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/6-25-21-New-DDAs-Class-Photo-PSC.png5971085Barbara Medina/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngBarbara Medina2021-06-30 16:45:512021-06-30 16:46:1823 New Prosecutors Join the DA’s Office
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]
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MUjxxt6nfnk.jpg7201280danewscenter/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngdanewscenter2021-06-01 00:00:002021-06-25 16:22:45New Program to Keep Minors Out of the Criminal Justice System
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.
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-citizens-of-courage-honored-in-virtual-ceremony-bNANKv4DMbI.jpg7201280danewscenter/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngdanewscenter2021-04-22 00:00:002021-06-25 16:22:452021 Citizens of Courage Honored in Virtual Ceremony
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]
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]
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/new-app-supports-children-exposed-to-trauma-Xuk_tjtUkLM.jpg7201280danewscenter/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.pngdanewscenter2021-02-04 00:00:002021-06-25 16:22:43New App Supports Children Exposed to Trauma