I want to file a complaint about a police officer or sheriff’s deputy. Can the District Attorney’s Office help me?
You should report the matter to the officer’s employing agency. Law enforcement agencies are required by law to receive complaints, investigate the matter, and respond back to the complaining party.
I have a complaint about an employee of the District Attorney’s Office. How do I contact you and will you respond?
You may call (805) 654-2500, write a letter to 800 S. Victoria Ave. Suite 314, Ventura, CA 93009 or send an email summarizing your complaint. It will be reviewed by appropriate personnel and in most cases you will be contacted afterwards.
How do I report a Brown Act or open meeting violation? What if I also have any other concerns regarding an elected person or body?
Please submit your complaint in writing to: Ventura County District Attorney’s Office ATTN: Public Integrity Unit800 S. Victoria AvenueVentura, CA 93009
How do I get a copy of a police report?
Contact the police agency that created the report to request a copy.
How do I find what employment opportunities exist in your office?
Employment opportunities for the District Attorney’s Office and other county agencies can be found through the County of Ventura’s website here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. You may also contact Ventura County’s Human Resources Division at (805) 654-5129 for more information. If you complete an interest card on the county’s website, you will receive an email when there are postings for the job classification listed on your interest card.
How can I find out where someone is incarcerated?
If an individual is incarcerated in Ventura County, you can check the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s website at https://sheriff.venturacounty.gov/. Click on Inmate Information to search the Ventura County jail inmate list. To locate an inmate within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), please call (916) 445-6713, which is accessible 24 hours a day. You must have either the inmate’s CDCR number or the inmate’s full name and date of birth to receive information. You can also find this information on the CDCR website at: https://ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov/.
Can you provide me with legal advice?
No. The District Attorney’s Office is prevented by law from answering legal questions or offering legal advice. The Ventura County Superior Court’s Self-Help Legal Access Center offers guidance on how to fill out court forms for various types of cases including eviction/unlawful detainer actions; however their staff cannot offer any legal advice. For recorded information, please call (805) 654-3962 or visit their site at: https://ventura.courts.ca.gov/self-help/civil-self-help-center. The Ventura County Bar Association offers attorney referral services and limited pro bono (free) legal assistance. You may visit their site at: https://www.vcba.org/.
Can I gain access to criminal records online?
There is no mechanism in place for public access to criminal records online.
Where do I go to make a complaint about a problem with a privately retained attorney?
The State Bar of California receives complaints against attorneys, investigates those complaints, and disciplines attorneys. You may call their attorney complaint hotline at (800) 843-9053. The complaint form and more information about how to file a complaint can be found on their website: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/public/concerns-about-attorney. The District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit investigates and prosecutes unauthorized practitioners of law, including non-attorneys posing as attorneys and attorneys who have been disbarred. If you have reason to believe a person has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, please call (805) 662-1750.
I was cited and released by the police. Can you tell me if your office filed charges against me?
Yes, please call (805) 654-2500 and we will provide you with that information.