GREGORY D. TOTTEN DISTRICT ATTORNEY - Ventura County ...

MICHAEL D. SCHWARTZ
Special Assistant District Attorney
WRITS, APPEALS, AND
TRAINING UNIT
The Writs, Appeals, and training unit’s primary responsibility
is to file and respond to writs and appeals in state and federal
courts, including the california Supreme court. The unit also
coordinates a series of Minimum continuing Legal education
(McLe) credit courses required by the State Bar to maintain a
license to practice law in california. For new prosecutors, the
unit provides a training series covering every phase of criminal
prosecution, as well as sessions on other topics helpful to
new prosecutors. The unit also provides training to local law
enforcement on a variety of topics.
GANG INJuNCTIONS
Prosecutors: Michael Schwartz, Karen Wold
After the superior court issued civil gang injunctions against
oxnard’s largest criminal street gangs, defense attorneys appealed.
The court of Appeal upheld the injunctions, with the exception
of the curfew provisions. The california Supreme court denied
the defense’s request to hear the appeals. Writs and Appeals
prosecutors then filed successful motions in superior court
to modify the curfew provisions to comply with the appellate
court rulings.
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
JUSTICE SERVICES
Justice Services encompasses a number of functions essential to securing justice for
crime victims and the community. These include the Writs, Appeals, and training
unit; the ellie Liston crime Victims’ Assistance unit; and the Safe harbor Multi-
Disciplinary interview centers.
Justice Services is managed by the special assistant district attorney, who also prepares
legal opinions on miscellaneous subjects, prepares and edits many office publications,
handles special civil law matters, responds to Public records Act requests and civil
subpoenas, processes requests for u Visa certifications for immigrants who are
victims of crime, 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 and municipal law matters to local government attorneys who
are advising the county’s 10 incorporated cities and its dozens of special districts.
Deputy District Attorney Michelle Contois,
Senior Deputy District Attorney Lisa Lyytikainen
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