Office Operations

The staff of 43 compile the budget, provide accounting functions, perform personnel services, develop and maintain computer operations, acquire supplies and equipment, secure added space, and administer state and federal grant programs.

District Attorney Budget

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Technology Support Unit (TSU)

The TSU provides support for over 700 District Attorney employees in the areas of Network Operations (server administration, communications, email, network security), Business Support (DAMION case management system, applications development, and business process analysis), and User Support Services (hardware and software trouble response, desktop operating system, and desktop application support).

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Recruitment and Training

The assistant district attorney and a team of prosecutors
recruit nationwide qualified law clerks and attorneys who are hired because of
their special skills and their commitment to prosecution.

Training of New Prosecutors

New prosecutors study in a 3-week, fulltime, intensive orientation and training program that includes lectures, workshops, visits to other criminal justice agencies, and a mock trial. They learn case and trial preparation, criminal procedures, and evidence; how to deal with issues unique to the prosecution of DUI, domestic violence, drug cases; how to handle expert testimony, motions, and sentencing; and the importance of prosecutorial ethics. They also tour the jail, a prison, and the state crime lab, view an autopsy, and experience firearms training. They are videotaped and critiqued by experienced prosecutors in the mock trial as they practice jury selection, opening statement, direct and cross examination, and closing argument - skills essential to preparing them to represent Riverside County citizens in the courts.

Continuing Education for Experienced Prosecutors

To keep Riverside County prosecutors abreast of changes to California's statutes and the court's interpretations of them and to fulfill the State Bar's mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements, training sessions are offered throughout the year in many subject areas including these:

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Writs and Appeals

To ensure that the convictions of our prosecutors are upheld, the Writs & Appeals handle all appellate matters. Whether affirmatively seeking a Writ of Mandate or Prohibition, pursuing an appeal, or responding to writs or habeas petitions, these attorneys have an outstanding reputation as persuasive advocates.

In addition to their appellate work, these lawyers provide extensive research for our trial teams, serve as mentors for our first-year law clerks, prepare and teach training sessions, and provide emergency staffing in office prosecution units.

An example of an appeals case

In 2003, the Riverside Police Department conducted two narcotics buy-programs resulting in the arrest of nearly 100 confirmed gang members who were engaged in the sales of narcotics. These cases raised many complicated sentencing issues - including the application of multiple offenses and gang-allegations. Our Writ and Appeals staff successfully ensured that these dangerous felons were appropriately punished for their criminal conduct.

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Asset Forfeitures

The Asset Forfeiture Unit seeks the seizure and forfeiture of assets (funds, property, belongings) that are the proceeds of narcotics manufacturing, transportation, or sales. Because of our Asset Forfeiture team's hard work in 2002, Riverside County ranked 5th in the state for the number of forfeiture cases initiated, and 4th in the amount of assets seized.

Seized assets are distributed according to legislative mandate. To law enforcement (to fight crime and for community youth intervention programs), to the state general fund (to help victims of crime reorganize their lives), to the California District Attorney's Association (to train law enforcement and prosecutors in ethics and forfeiture law), and to the district attorney's office (for training and special programs).

In 2003, the lead attorney in this unit handled the first asset forfeiture appeal in Riverside County. In People v Nieves, the defendant challenged the forfeiture of seized assets, claiming he had been denied having the same jury hear his criminal case and his forfeiture matter. In Nieves, the criminal case jury was dismissed without objection by the defendant while the civil forfeiture was still pending. Arguing several asset forfeiture issues of procedure and subject matter jurisdiction, we prevailed and the court dismissed the defendant's appeal.

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