City Attorney’s Office Commences DV and Related Prosecutions
Published on July 05, 2023
The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit of the Alameda City Attorney’s Office has formally commenced handling domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse cases within the City of Alameda. This effort fulfills the last remaining category of prosecutorial work directed by the voters in their overwhelming approval of Measure AA in 2020.
Measure AA, in an effort to strengthen local control and accountability, directed the City Attorney’s Office to prosecute all state law misdemeanor offenses, including misdemeanor wobbler offenses (i.e., crimes that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor) within the City of Alameda. Since its passage, the City Attorney’s Office has worked collaboratively with the Alameda Police Department (APD) and the District Attorney’s Office to onboard this important assignment expeditiously and responsibly. The Unit reviewed 220 cases referred by APD in 2020. That number increased 317% to 698 cases in 2022. The Unit’s cases have encompassed a wide range of state law offenses, including thefts, commercial burglaries, reckless driving, DUIs, assaults (including assaults with deadly weapons), sexual batteries, and weapons/firearms offenses.
In 2023, under the leadership of Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Julia Gonzales, a respected leader in intimate partner and family violence prosecution, the Unit has begun the effort to handle domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse cases, the final area of prosecutorial work assigned by Measure AA. In the Month of June, the Unit reviewed 11 domestic violence/elder abuse/child abuse cases referred by APD and filed charges in 7 cases. “The Alameda Police Department values the partnership and collaboration with the Alameda City Attorney’s Office,” said Chief of Police Nishant Joshi. “The work being done is incredible and provides another layer of support for public safety.”
“I want to thank the Council and the community in placing their trust with the City Attorney’s Office in handling the work of justice, protecting public safety, and safeguarding victims’ rights for Alameda, it is a solemn responsibility that each city prosecutor handles with great care, humility and compassion,” said City Attorney Yibin Shen. “We are pleased to be able to fulfil the voters’ mandates in taking up this important area of work. Domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse affect every community, create deep and lasting impacts on victims and families, and are leading contributors to homelessness. We very much appreciate and look forward to continuing to collaborate with our justice partners at the Alameda Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office to impact this important area of responsibility.”
The Alameda City Attorney Office’s Prosecution Unit is committed to justice and helping the residents of Alameda. In addition to prosecuting criminal offenses, the Unit resolves consumer protection, labor, and fair housing issues through education and public outreach. When appropriate, the Unit enforces these laws to protect the public from unfair and unlawful practices.
If you have questions or would like to report an issue, please contact the Prosecution Unit at 510-747-4772 or email cityprosecutor@alamedacityattorney.org.