Page 1
Final Report
CJ - 1
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION
Prepared by
2001-2002 Orange CountyGrand Jury
June, 2002
Page 2
CJ - 2
2001-2002 Orange County Grand Jury
COMMENDATIONS
There are many men and women: managers, deputy district attorneys, and investigators in
the Office of the District Attorney who have demonstrated great professionalism and
integrity. They have worked in their offices, entered the courts, and gone into the streets
to insure that the criminal justice system in Orange County is held to the highest
standards. The 2001-2002 Orange County Grand Jury extends its highest commendation
to these dedicated public servants and asks that the electorate of the county join us in this
commendation.
Page 3
Final Report
CJ - 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
COMMENDATIONS......................................................................................................... 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................... 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 5
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7
Major Accomplishments of the District Attorney's Office under the Current
Administration............................................................................................................ 7
INITIATION OF THE INVESTIGATION & METHOD OF STUDY ............................. 9
ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURE - Attorney Positions ....................................... 11
Factual Background - Post 1998 Campaign............................................................. 11
Findings..................................................................................................................... 15
Recommendations ......................................................................................
Page 1
Final Report
CJ - 1
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION
Prepared by
2001-2002 Orange CountyGrand Jury
June, 2002
Page 2
CJ - 2
2001-2002 Orange County Grand Jury
COMMENDATIONS
There are many men and women: managers, deputy district attorneys, and investigators in
the Office of the District Attorney who have demonstrated great professionalism and
integrity. They have worked in their offices, entered the courts, and gone into the streets
to insure that the criminal justice system in Orange County is held to the highest
standards. The 2001-2002 Orange County Grand Jury extends its highest commendation
to these dedicated public servants and asks that the electorate of the county join us in this
commendation.
Page 3
Final Report
CJ - 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
COMMENDATIONS......................................................................................................... 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................... 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 5
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7
Major Accomplishments of the District Attorney's Office under the Current
Administration............................................................................................................ 7
INITIATION OF THE INVESTIGATION & METHOD OF STUDY ............................. 9
ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURE - Attorney Positions ....................................... 11
Factual Background - Post 1998 Campaign............................................................. 11
Findings..................................................................................................................... 15
Recommendations ......................................................................................
Problems with the Legal System
Problems with law enforcement (19%) were viewed as barriers to service delivery for
APS clients and were manifested in such areas as: lack of training for law
enforcement staff, inadequate criminal investigations, low rates of prosecution, and
unwillingness of the courts to deal with APS issues. One state mentioned that no
single agency had authority to investigate allegations of adult abuse, neglect and
exploitation and that coordination among agencies was problematic. Another state
mentioned that neglect and exploitation cases may sit in the prosecutor's office for six
to nine months with no action. A lack of coordination and collaboration between APS
agencies and law enforcement was mentioned by several states.
We were so happy in the early morning but a celebrating our new home. Who would of dreamed Nye Frank 68 would be attacked and dead by 10:30 am. He never got to sleep one night in the new home he built . He moved his shop in the day before and stated everything was in a perfect place.
We were so happy in the early morning but a celebrating our new home. Who would of dreamed Nye Frank 68 would be attacked and dead by 10:30 am. He never got to sleep one night in the new home he built . He moved his shop in the day before and stated everything was in a perfect place.
Top county administrators and elected officials have decided to lead by example. 06-28-2009-Perhaps that 5% loss is the money they -Elder Lee Frank a elder who husband killed in Riverside County, victim funds denied. Is that the unclaimed funds that the supervisors get after 3 years?
Victim Rights in California
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Victims of crime and the families of homicide victims have the right to:
Know the current status of your court case.
Be assisted if called as a witness.
Attend all sentencing proceedings.
Speak in person; address the court in writing; or be represented by an
attorney at the time of felony sentencing to express your views concerning the
defendant, the crime, and its effects on you and your family.
Have the court order restitution from the convicted person.
Request the Board of Prison Terms to provide notice of any hearing to review
or consider parole eligibility or parole-setting for prisoner(s) in your case.
You must keep the Board of Prison Terms informed of your current address if you
wish to be notified.
Speak personally; submit a letter, tape recording or video tape; or send an
attorney to the parole hearing to express your views about the crime and the
person responsible.
Program Services Available
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The following mandatory and optional services, mandated by the Office of
Emergency Services, are provided:
Mandatory Services
Crisis Intervention
Emergency Assistance
Resource and Referral Assistance
Follow-up Assistance
Property Return Assistance
Orientation to the Criminal Justice System
Victim Impact Statement Assistance
Court Escort/Court Support
Case Status/Case Disposition Information
Notification of Family/Friends
Employer Notification
Victim of Crime Claims Assistance
Restitution Assistance
Optional Services
Creditor Intervention
Child Care Assistance
Witness Notification
Funeral Arrangement Assistance
Crime Prevention Information
Witness Protection Assistance
Temporary Restraining Order Information
Transportation Assistance
Court Waiting Area
Employer Intervention
Language Capabilities: Confidential language service available to translate
all languages.
State Victim of Crime Compens
VIP
We in law enforcement have a special
obligation to the most vulnerable of
crime victims. Those who have suffered
life-devastating crimes - elder abuse, sexual
assault, stalking, family violence and hate
crime - should be treated with dignity and
supported. They deserve all the compassion
and protection that we in the criminal justice
system can provide.
To ensure that the victims of these highly
traumatic crimes are given the best possible
treatment, the District Attorney's Office has
established the Victim Impact Program
(VIP). This program places specially trained
prosecutors in Branch and Area offices
throughout the county to specifically deal
with these types of cases. This bolsters the
offices vertical prosecution efforts, ensuring
that one prosecutor handles these cases from
start to finish.
Under VIP, law enforcement also benefits.
Investigators present their cases directly to
a VIP coordinator, who assigns each to a
specially trained prosecutor and oversees
their handling. This assures expert treatment
from beginning to end.