Homicides
Murders, cold-case homicides and similar unlawful killings are prosecuted by the Major Crimes Unit. Cases prosecuted by this unit involve some of the most heinous crimes committed within Ventura County and often entail substantial follow-up investigation, trial preparation, and the use of cutting edge forensic DNA analysis and evidence. In addition, other special interest crimes are also assigned to the unit when it is determined that the complexity of the case requires the experience of a major crimes attorney. The Major Crimes Unit’s prosecutors also respond to 24-hour a day on-call requests from law enforcement seeking legal assistance with search warrants, crime scene evaluation, and officer-involved shooting matters. Other duties of prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit include law enforcement training, assisting in selected special investigations, and appearing at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation parole hearings.
General Felonies
Most felony cases submitted by law enforcement agencies to the District Attorney’s Office are handled by the General Felony Unit. Seasoned attorneys within the unit are primarily responsible for reviewing and filing these cases. Once felony charges are filed, defendants are arraigned in court and bail is set. In cases that do not resolve at an early stage, prosecutors present evidence at preliminary hearings to establish there is probable cause to hold charged defendants to answer at jury trial. Cases are reevaluated to determine the appropriateness of all charges and then assigned to attorneys for trial. All cases involving serious or violent crimes are prosecuted vertically, meaning these cases are assigned to more experienced deputy district attorneys for all purposes once charges are filed. Cases involving auto theft are also handled by a dedicated prosecutor from review through sentencing. This attorney works in partnership with the Ventura County Auto Theft…
Gangs
Crimes committed by, for the benefit of, in association with, or at the direction of active criminal street gang members are prosecuted by experienced attorneys dedicated to achieving justice in these cases. Even though Ventura County is consistently ranked as one of the safest counties in the western United States, many violent criminal street gangs pose an ongoing threat to local residents. The crimes committed by those involved in gang activity may include vandalism, burglary, robbery, extortion, assault with a deadly weapon, trafficking in controlled substances, and murder. While the intended targets of such crimes may often be other gang members, the collateral risk and trauma caused by these crimes to innocent bystanders and the community as a whole mandate that all provable cases be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. For these reasons, the prosecutors and investigators assigned to handle gang cases are among the most experienced…
August 11, 2020
Announcement Regarding People v. DeAngelo
August 6, 2020
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten alerts the public to the following announcement from the Sacramento County Superior Court.
August 6, 2020 (Corrected)
20-071 Enns (Frye) Plea
August 6, 2020
VENTURA, California –District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Kevin Jacob Enns (DOB 3/10/75), of Ventura, pled guilty to one felony count of embezzlement of public funds pursuant to Penal Code section 424.
Bureau of Investigation
The Bureau of Investigation’s (BOI) more than 40 investigators provide professional investigative support in both criminal and civil matters to prosecutors handling cases in those areas and play a critical role in preparing cases for prosecution. The Bureau is staffed with a chief investigator, two deputy chief investigators, district attorney investigators, welfare fraud investigators, and investigative assistants.
August 5, 2020
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alexis Ramirez (DOB 10/23/89), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison by Judge Gilbert Romero. On July 8, 2020, Ramirez pled guilty to second degree murder with the use of a knife and for the benefit of a criminal street gang for the January 17, 2009, killing of Alfredo Vargas, also of Oxnard.
Criminal Prosecutions
Criminal Prosecutions, with 65 attorneys, is the largest division within the District Attorney’s Office and is responsible for reviewing complaints, filing charges, and prosecuting the majority of felony and misdemeanor crimes occurring within Ventura County. Criminal Prosecutions encompasses the Major Crimes, General Felony, Misdemeanor, and Sexual Assault / Family Protection Units. Together, attorneys in these units prosecute the majority of the approximately 25,000 criminal cases reviewed each year by the District Attorney’s Office. The chief deputy district attorney of Criminal Prosecutions directly supervises the Major Crimes Unit, which handles homicides and other significant cases. Dedicated attorney supervisors oversee the other units and report to the chief deputy. The chief deputy serves as liaison to the civil and criminal grand juries, and addresses law enforcement and criminal justice issues on numerous other countywide committees.