DA POWER | My Site 1

Sac4thePeople Say...

To change systemic injustices within the criminal legal system, we must hold people who are elected to positions of trust and power accountable to the people. We stand for justice for all, not for some. We stand for humanizing people who are hidden behind bars–visible and invisible. And we bring a voice to families of the survivors and the accused who suffer hardships. Sac4thePeople’s role is to engage the community to vote, and provide relevant candidate information to help with accountability and restorative decision making.

Sac4thePeople Teach...

What Is a D.A.? Here's the dinner table version:

Sacramento County’s District Attorney (DA) is an elected official just like County Supervisors, Judges, and the County Sheriff. They are the highest ranking prosecutor in the County. Their salary is just under $300,000 annually. The DA decides who will be prosecuted for an alleged crime and whose charges will be dropped. That decision affects who stays in jail, who will be released to a social service provider for care, or to a special program for rehabilitation. The DA is among the most powerful officials in the county, if not THE most powerful--the DA has the power to decide someone’s life course. They have influence with all of law enforcement. The sheriff, courts, probation, and all parts of the criminal legal system work with the District Attorney. Their historical role is one of proving a person’s culpability in a crime beyond a reasonable doubt in front of a judge. Prosecutors may offer a plea bargain as a way to negotiate a punishment for an alleged crime. Some prosecutors are recognizing the differences between accountability and punishment and instead look to reform the system to one of prevention, anti-recidivism and restoration of all parties harmed. One important fact…an overwhelming number of judges are former prosecutors.

Sac4thePeople Expect:

Equity / Identity Justice
Health and Wellness of the Accused, Survivors, and their Families
Treat Kids Like Kids
Restorative Alternatives to Incarceration
Increased Pretrial and Diversion Opportunities
Check Bias in the System and Model Anit-Bias by Recusing Yourself in Situations of Law Enforcement Misconduct
Transparency in Policy, Process, and Data
Commitment and Practice of Engagement with the Most Impacted Communities and Neighborhoods to Listen and Learn.
Protection of Immigrants and Refugees from the Collateral Consequences of Charges and Convictions
Low Recidivism
Person, Family and Neighborhood Restoration