Family Justice Center
The Ventura County Family Justice Center (FJC), was opened to improve the lives of those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. District Attorney staff collaborates with a team of more than 35 agencies dedicated to a shared, vital cause — to reduce trauma, eliminate repeat victimization, mitigate future risks and make a lasting, positive difference in countless lives. Through our welcoming community and comprehensive, holistic services that focus on the whole person, Family Justice Center empowers and supports survivors of all ages and their families. District Attorney victim advocates and volunteers also provide traditional services and classes in both English and Spanish on the process and forms required to obtain restraining orders as well as information on the dynamics and dangers of violent relationships.
Family Protection
Law enforcement agencies in Ventura County have joined the District Attorney’s Office in our joint effort to thoroughly investigate and prosecute all crimes of domestic violence. In accordance with our protocol, police are trained in proper methods for investigating these cases so that all available evidence is gathered in a timely manner. This may include obtaining recorded statements of witnesses, photographs, documentation of all injuries, and securing other evidence. Due to the challenging nature of proving domestic violence charges in court, these cases are assigned to and handled vertically by deputy district attorneys. For Sexual Assault click here.
Crime Victims’ Assistance
The Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit functions to guide victims through the criminal justice process, to ensure victims’ rights are honored, and to assist victims in obtaining services to help them cope with the trauma they have suffered. Through the efforts of a dedicated team of Victim Advocates, the Victims’ Assistance Unit provides comprehensive services to victims of all types of crime.For more information click here.
Elder Abuse
A designated prosecutor within the Sexual Assault Family Protection Unit works with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes perpetrated against elders in our communities. These crimes may include physical and emotional abuse, neglect, identity theft, and financial abuse. The unit focuses on elderly victims of crime, which by statute is defined as someone 65 years of age or older, so as to accommodate their needs and concerns. The assigned deputy district attorney works closely with Adult Protective Services, Area Agency on Aging, police departments and senior community groups to raise awareness of crimes against elders and assist in the recognition, investigation and prosecution of offenders. This attorney also presents to local senior groups to raise awareness of these crimes and address related issues that may affect elders in our community.
August 13, 2020
District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Lenard Chester (DOB: 04-22-61), of Oxnard, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Judge Ryan Wright. On June 22, 2020, Chester was convicted by jury of the first-degree murder of Leah Bullis, aged 81, of Oxnard, with the special circumstances that the murder was committed while in the commission of rape and burglary.
August 12, 2020
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of two misdemeanor charges against Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Leonard Herrera Lopez (DOB 8/6/71).
Weapons Forfeiture
When people are taken to the hospital because they pose a danger to themselves or others, their constitutional right to bear arms is restricted for five years. Any weapon in their possession may be seized by law enforcement and destroyed unless a petitioner convinces the court a weapon may safely be returned to its owner. Such hearings are routinely held after a hospitalization to determine if such people can safely possess firearms.
Narcotics
The Narcotics Unit takes an aggressive and proactive stance towards drug trafficking in Ventura County and the surrounding areas. A wide range of cases involving methamphetamine labs, street-level drug dealing and high-level drug trafficking organizations involving multiple pound quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine are handled by the vertical prosecution Narcotics Unit. These prosecutors work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies during complex multi-level narcotics investigations that utilize confidential informants, search warrants and court authorized wiretaps. These investigations lead to the prosecution of narcotics traffickers for manufacturing, sales and possession for sales of controlled substances, as well as conspiracy and money laundering. The Narcotics Unit is also responsible for reviewing, filing and prosecuting cases involving drug-endangered children, prescription drug diversion and vice crimes including human trafficking, pimping, pandering and prostitution.
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…