Annual Report 2006 - San Diego County District Attorney

The Case Issuing and Extraditions Division iscomprised of five units:• Felony Issuing• National and International Extraditions• Probation Revocation Unit• Lifer Unit•DA Liaison UnitFelony IssuingDuring 2006, the attorneys in this division reviewedcases on 7,900 felony suspects for case issuing. Thedivision also handled a variety of legal issues andprovided legal advice on criminal law, procedure,and evidence to the law enforcement officers whosubmitted cases. The division is led by Division ChiefDave Lattuca and Assistant Chief Jane Via.Attorneys in the Case Issuing and ExtraditionsDivision created the protocol for the DA’s “John Doe”Warrant Project, in which cases are filed when a DNAprofile is discovered on evidence at a crime scene, butthe actual name of the person is not known. This wasdone to ensure the statute of limitations does notexpire on cases by failing to initiate prosecution.National and InternationalExtraditionsThe Extraditions Unit is responsible for the officewideefforts to return fugitive defendants from otherstates to San Diego, and for cases involving the returnof fugitives located in San Diego to other states.This unit also works to bring San Diego defendantsback to San Diego from foreign countries when theyflee the United States. In 2006, the unit extradited79 defendants from other states to San Diego andhandled 238 hearings for the extradition of fugitivesfrom San Diego to other states.Probation Revocation UnitThe division’s Probation Revocation Unit targetsconvicted felons who commit a new offense whilethey are on probation and holds them accountable atthe earliest possible juncture. When the probationeris re-arrested on a new offense, the unit files apetition alleging the new offense as a violationof probation in lieu of filing a new complaint. Byproceeding in this manner instead of filing a new case,the division saves significant prosecutorial resourcesin seeking a commitment to state prison. During 2006,the Probation Revocation Unit handled approximately600 cases with a 90% commitment rate.Lifer Hearing UnitThe division also contains the DA’s Lifer Hearing Unitwhich has two main goals: ensure that dangerous lifeprisoners are not released carelessly, and ensure thatcrime victims and their families are given a respectfulopportunity to participate in the parole hearingprocess. During 2006, the Lifer Hearing Unit processed290 cases for parole and suitability hearings.DA Liaison UnitThree prosecutors have been assigned as liaisons tolocal law enforcement agencies. These prosecutors arelocated offsite and work closely with law enforcementby assisting with investigations. The liaisons providecritical assistance in making sure evidence iscollected lawfully so it can be introduced in court byprosecutors. They also assist police with the draftingof legal documents such as search warrants, arrestwarrants, and other court orders.Case Issuance and ExtraditionsDivision 2006 StaffingAttorneys 13Paralegals 4Paralegal Interns 1Support Staff 29Legal Interns 2TOTAL 49San Diego County District Attorney 17