Justice Journal – Details, episodes & analysis

Description: Discussion on what mass victimization trauma is and how the Mass Victimization Crisis Response Team works together to provide support services for those directly and indirectly impacted by a large-scale, multi-victim criminal incident.  

Show Notes:  District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager Nina Acosta provides a general overview of the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program and what services they provide to victims of crime. 

Nina and District Attorney Victim Advocate Michelle Husbands define and discuss mass victimization trauma and the difference between services provided to direct victims who were physically injured and indirect victims who were not injured but witnessed the incident.

Michelle explains what the Mass Victimization Response Team is, what organizations are typically involved, how they work together and our office’s role on team.  

Nina and Michelle discuss the Family Assistance Center that was recently setup in Sacramento and that services are still available for those impacted now, and months from now if needed.  Some may take longer to process a traumatic event, so resources can be found on the Sacramento County District Attorney’s website when they are ready to seek assistance.

Nina and Michelle close by sharing their closing thoughts on mass victimization trauma, signs of trauma and the importance of those who might need assistance to contact one of the many available resources.

RESOURCES:

https://www.sacda.org/victim-services/victim-witness-assistance-program/

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Tags – Mass Victimization Trauma, Sacramento County District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance Program, Victim Advocates, Mass Victimization Crisis Response Team, Justice Journal Podcast

Description: A discussion with survivors of the East Area Rapist turned advocates in recognition of Victim Rights month moderated by Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho.  Guests are Kris Pedretti and Gay Hardwick. 

Show Notes: Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Thien Ho moderates a discussion about two survivors who faced the East Area rapist and lived to talk about it.  They are now advocates that help other survivors find their voice.   

Kris Pedretti talks about her encounter with the East Area Rapist when she was just 15 years old.  She describes her experience with law enforcement after the crime and how she was forced to silence herself.  Kris talks about her current advocacy work in forming the group “Sexual Assault Survivors: it’s time to tell your story.” 

Gay Hardwick discusses the night the East Area Rapist terrorized her and her husband in their new home.  She talks about the law enforcement response and how she was made to feel like a stranger in her own home.  Gay also explains why she is advocating for assault survivors and helping to teach law enforcement about the victim’s perspective.    

The group then discusses how only twenty-five percent of assault victims report the attack, and how to change that number.  They talk about victim needs and how the public and law enforcement can help in the healing process.  They also discuss how the community can help in these advocacy efforts by having more conversations about the trauma to help de-stigmatize the role of the victim. 

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Tags – District Attorney, Justice Journal Podcast, Sexual Assault Survivors: it’s time to tell your story, Voices for Victims. 

Description: A discussion with affected family members who lost loved ones too soon to Fentanyl poisoning moderated by Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho.  Guests are Chris and Laura Didier, Allyssia Funicello and Fire Chief Walt White. 

Show Notes: Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Thien Ho moderates a discussion with an experiences first responder and family members of victims lost to fentanyl poisoning.   

Laura and Chris Didier talk about their son Zachary, forever 17.  Zachary was a star student with a bright future ahead of him until he took a pill he mistakenly believed to be Percocet – it was fentanyl.  His father found him unresponsive in his bedroom a couple days after Christmas.  The Didiers have now dedicated their life to warning others of this danger.  They discuss their work with several non-profit organizations including Song for Charlie.     

Allyssia Funicello talks about her brother Mikael, forever 23.   Mikael was her baby brother and the favorite uncle to her children.  Mikael also took a pill not knowing it was a lethal dose of fentanyl.  Allyssia describes her efforts to curtail this epidemic though her work to educate the public about fentanyl poisoning.  

Chief Walt White talks about his experience as a first responder.  He also shares the story of his brother Vincent who he also lost to fentanyl poisoning.  Chief White explains how to use Naloxone and the Good Samaritan laws. 

The group then discusses current trends and red flags that parents and other community members should look out for.  They also discuss how they collaborate with many organizations to provide support for family members who have lost their loved ones to fentanyl poisoning.  The group ends by discussing next steps and how the community can help curtail this epidemic.   

For more information please visit www.1pillcankillsac.com.  

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Tags – District Attorney, Justice Journal Podcast, all Fentanyl partners

Description: Discussion on the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Treatment Court – including the goals, criteria and eligibility, program treatments and requirements, the collaborative process, successes and story of program graduate. Guest are Judge Lawrence Brown, Deputy District Attorney Judith Mummert, Assistant Public Defender Maegan Gannon and, program graduate Alberto.

Show Notes: The discussion starts with Judge Brown giving background on the Driving Under the Influence Treatment Court (DUITC) and the court’s goals.

Deputy DA Mummert and Assistant PD Gannon then explain the DUITC in general – when it started in Sacramento County, eligibility requirements, about the program – participating agencies/organizations, treatment services, requirements, completion.

The group talks about the collaborative process of the court and how they work together behind the scenes as well as in the courtroom. They also address overcoming challenges and working through disagreements.

Stats are provided on number of Sacramento County graduates as well as national stats on the success of DUITC. Deputy DA Mummert and Assistant PD Gannon describe the diverse participants accepted into the DUITC program that are reflective of the Sacramento community.

The group talks about how they feel about being a part of the specialized court, why they believe it’s successful and the importance of continuing the DUITC in this county.

Program graduate, Alberto, then shares his story and what led him to DUITC. Alberto talks about his experience in the program, how it helped him and how he is doing today.

The episode ends with closing thoughts from the group on the importance of DUITC and Alberto’s successful completion of the program and turning his life around.

RESOURCES:

Sacramento County Collaborative Courts - DUI Treatment Court

DUI Treatment Court Statistics

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Tags – Justice Journal Podcast, Driving Under the Influence, Collaborative Courts, DUI Treatment Court, recidivism, repeat offenders, OTS, Office of Traffic Safety, NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Sacramento County Superior Court

Description: A discussion on human trafficking trends and prevention efforts in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness month moderated by Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho.  Guests are Ashlie Bryant, 3Strands Global Co-Founder, President and CEO, and Courtney Martin, Deputy District Attorney, who is assigned to the human trafficking unit at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Show Notes: Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Thien Ho moderates a discussion about human trafficking awareness.   Ashlie Bryant, 3Strands Global Co-Founder, President and CEO talks about how she began her work in combatting human trafficking, and the two specific areas of prevention 3Strands focuses on: education and employment. 

She discusses the education component by describing their “Protect” program, which instructs teachers on how to spot victims of trafficking, as well as teach students what exploitation looks like and what it means to be safe.  The program is taught at various schools nationwide from K-12 grades.  Ashlie then describes achieving prevention through employment which 3Strands offers through their “Employ plus Empower” program.    

Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin, discusses how she views the problem from 3 sides: demand, distribution and supply.  She describes her efforts to curtail human trafficking through prosecution, working with law enforcement, and providing support to those who have been trafficked.

The group then discusses current trends they have observed, which have been negatively impacted by the “stay in place” orders of the pandemic.  They discuss red flags, their tips on what the community can do to help combat human trafficking, and how they collaborate with many organizations to provide a net for survivors and victims of exploitation. 

If someone believes they are witnessing a trafficking situation, call 911.  To report a non-emergency human possible human trafficking situation or suspected victim/trafficker – call the human trafficking hotline at 888.373.7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733.

For listeners who want to learn more about 3Strands and its programs or services, Ashlie provides information on how people can reach their organization. 

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Tags – District Attorney, Justice Journal Podcast, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking, Pimping, Pandering, Victim Advocate, CASH, Community Against Sexual Harm, 3Strands Global

Description: Discussion on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) involving marijuana cases, the increase in these cases, detecting marijuana impaired drivers, what the District Attorney’s Crime Lab is seeing in analyzing DUI toxicology samples, prosecuting these specific types of cases and the difference in the marijuana of today versus marijuana from decades ago. Guests are California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Herbert, Sacramento County District Attorney Crime Lab Director Michael Toms, DA criminalist Sara Porter and Lead Deputy District Attorney Kelly Clark.

Show Notes:  The discussion starts with California Highway Patrol Officer Travis explaining what CHP is seeing on the roads and highways.  Officer Travis also describes how officers can detect marijuana use by drivers during traffic stops.   

Crime Lab Director Michael Toms and DA Criminalist Sara Porter discuss recent statistics from analyzed DUI samples tested specifically for marijuana.  Toms talks about a database project currently in the works with the Coroner’s Office to detect DUI fatalities that involved marijuana. 

Lead Deputy District Attorney Kelly Clark talks through the different DUI charges and charges for marijuana use. 

The group provides information about the vast difference in marijuana today from decades ago – including significant increase in potency, different forms (vaping, edibles, etc.).  They also inform listeners they may not realize how potent marijuana is in the different forms and the dangers of increased potency and impact on driving. 

The group closes with key takeaways to prevent DUI and DUI involving marijuana.

RESOURCES:

California Office of Traffic Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

DUI Brochure

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Tags – Justice Journal Podcast, Driving Under the Influence, Marijuana, THC, California Highway Patrol, CHP, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Crime Lab, OTS, Office of Traffic Safety, NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Description: Discussion on the rise of hate crimes/hate incidents against the Asian American Pacific Islander community, the impact on victims and the community at large, and what is being done to address this type of hate in the Sacramento community.  Guests are California Assemblyman Jim Cooper, Executive Director of Asian Resources Inc. and Councilwoman Stephanie Nguyen and Assistant Chief Deputy DA Thienvu Ho.

Show Notes:  DA Anne Marie Schubert introduces the podcast and the importance of the topic. Guests introduce themselves by providing personal/professional background information and their current roles.

Assistant Chief Thien Ho explains what a hate crime is and is not under the penal code, and the difference between a hate crime and hate incident. He goes on to talk about the Hate Crimes Unit and what types of hate crimes are filed as a felony or misdemeanor. He then explains the hate crimes case numbers have not increased in Sacramento, but that is most certainly due to significant under-reporting.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper and Executive Director/Councilwoman Stephanie Nguyen talk about the reported numbers not being accurate and the problem of under-reporting in the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community - especially among the immigrant/refugee population.  They go on to share what they are hearing from the AAPI community.  They are very fearful.  They are afraid to leave their houses to go shopping or be out too late.  They talk about how it’s impacting the larger community, including AAPI owned businesses. 

The group shares their experience with the non-AAPI community showing support and standing with the AAPI community – offering hope that something good will come out of the hate and better things are to come out of this dark time. 

The group agrees part of the solution to ending hate crimes is to have stronger consequences for committing these crimes.  Assemblyman Cooper talks about a bill (AB 266) he is putting forth which will strengthen and increase penalties for some hate crimes.

Executive Director/Councilwoman Stephanie Nguyen talks about how Asian Resources is working to protect and assist members of the AAPI community and what assistance they can provide.

The discussion ends with what needs to be done to end hate crimes.  They agree that hate crimes must first be reported and aggressively prosecuted with significant consequences to deter others from committing hate crimes.  There also needs to be more community outreach and education on the issue to let people know how to report suspected hate crimes, the importance of reporting as well as services and resources available to them.

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Tags – Justice Journal Podcast, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, Assemblyman Jim Cooper, Executive Director Asian Resources Inc. Stephanie Nguyen, Councilwoman Stephanie Nguyen, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thienvu Ho, Hate Crimes, Asian American Pacific Islander, AAPI, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Hate Incidents

Description: Discussion on the success the local criminal justice system has had in holding jury trials in the age of the pandemic.  Guests are Sacramento Superior Court Presiding Judge Russell Hom, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, Chief Assistant Public Defender Amanda Benson. 

Show Notes:  A brief timeline/explanation of the COVID-19 Emergency Court Orders was provided. 

March 19, 2020 – Sacramento County Issues Public Health Order

March 20, 2020 – Sacramento Superior Court orders temporary court closures

March 23, 2020 – Sacramento California Supreme Court Justice Cantil-Sakauye issues a statewide court order suspending all jury trials for 60 days

May 26, 2020 - Sacramento Superior Court resumed two criminal jury trials that were suspended due to court closure

June 15, 2020 - Sacramento Superior Court resumes jury trials

Guests share what their organizations were doing behind the scenes - both individually and working together – to prepare to operate under the first Court Order on March 20, 2020 and second Court Order on March 23, 2020.  This includes what to do about bail, in-custody defendants time rights, filing news cases, collaboration involved in developing process, etc.

They then discuss the current state of court operations and how they are successfully resuming jury trials while following COVID-19 safety precautions at the courthouse.  The group shares how their offices worked individually and together to plan and implement necessary changes. 

They address some of the challenges of holding jury trials during COVID-19, and some positive aspects that came about with this new way of operating.  

They reflect on why they think Sacramento County has been able to conduct so many trials under these unprecedented circumstances as well as some ideas of how to improve the COVID-19 justice system even further.

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