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.
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.
General Prosecutions
General Prosecutions is responsible for assisting prosecutors, investigators and support staff in fulfilling the mission of the District Attorney’s Office to promote justice and protect the citizens of Ventura County. Overseen by a chief deputy district attorney, this division provides a wide range of services to support the operational needs of the District Attorney’s Office. Administrative Services includes the Information Technology Unit; Clerical Support Services; and the Fiscal, Administrative and Legislative Services Unit. The dedicated men and women in these units work behind the scenes to accomplish the critical functions that keep the office running. The division meets the computer and networking needs of the largest law office in the county, provides the clerical support necessary to handle more than 15,000 criminal cases each year, administers the operating budget, and provides human resources support to approximately 250 employees. In addition, Administrative Services manages facilities in seven locations, administers numerous grant…
Justice Services
Justice Services encompasses a number of functions essential to securing justice to crime victims and the community. These include the Writs, Appeals and Training Unit and the Public Integrity Unit. Justice Services is managed by the Special Assistant District Attorney, who serves as the Conviction Integrity deputy. The Special Assistant also prepares legal opinions on miscellaneous subjects, prepares and edits some of our office publications, handles special civil law matters, responds to Public Records Act requests and civil subpoenas, processes requests for U Visa certifications, analyzes misconduct issues under Brady v. Maryland, and enforces Brown Act open-meeting laws. The Special Assistant serves as liaison on the Brown Act and other civil law and municipal law matters to local government attorneys who are advising the county’s ten incorporated cities and its dozens of special districts.
Administrative Services
Administrative Services is responsible for assisting prosecutors, investigators and support staff in fulfilling the mission of the District Attorney’s Office to promote justice and protect the citizens of Ventura County. Overseen by a chief deputy district attorney, this division provides a wide range of services to support the operational needs of the District Attorney’s Office. Administrative Services includes the Information Technology Unit; Clerical Support Services; and the Fiscal, Administrative and Legislative Services Unit.
Special Prosecutions
Special Prosecutions is responsible for criminal enforcement of a wide variety of economic and environmental-based crimes, as well as civil enforcement actions. Special Prosecutions is overseen by a chief deputy district attorney and encompasses several units which prosecute various “white collar” crimes including Consumer and Environmental Protection, Auto Insurance Fraud, Major Fraud, Real Estate Fraud, and Workers’ Compensation Fraud. Cases handled by these units often involve complex litigation, large volumes of documentary evidence, and sophisticated offenders adept at financial manipulation and deceit. The Juvenile, Sexual Assault and Family Protection, and Child Abduction Recovery units are managed within Special Prosecutions as well. The attorneys and professional staff utilize their varied expertise to carry out a broad array of functions within Special Prosecutions.
Victim and Community Services
Victim & Community Services is overseen by a chief deputy district attorney and encompasses a number of functions essential to securing justice to crime victims and the community. These include the Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit; the Safe Harbor Multi-Disciplinary Interview Centers; Restraining Order Clinics; and Community Outreach.