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Did You Know ...
From the Office of the Alameda County District Attorney
Nancy E. O'Malley, District Attorney
January, 2010

In This Issue
Criminal Docket Finder
Restitution
Family Justice Center
Officer Recognition
Victim's Bill of Rights
Court Closures in 2010
Consumer Alerts
From the Courtroom
Q & A
Quick Links
Point of View
Criminal Docket Finder

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Welcome to the First Newsletter

nancy

Welcome to the first edition of "Did You Know...," the monthly newsletter of the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.  In this publication, we hope to keep you informed of new developments in the law as well criminal verdicts and other news from the courtroom and our office.  We would like to provide you with useful information about our county's criminal justice system, listen to questions you may have and communicate with you on topics that may directly impact you or your community.  Please also visit our newly launched web site at alcoda.org.


Nancy E. O'Malley, District Attorney, Alameda County
 What's New
Criminal Docket Finder
The District Attorney announces the new CRIMINAL DOCKET FINDER.
In accordance with the Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy's Law, the Criminal Docket Finder was developed to provide victims with information on the defendant's appearance at public proceedings.

Read more ...
District Attorney's Restitution Unit Collects Millions on Behalf of Crime Victims in 2009
In 2009, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office obtained 1,031 restitution orders on behalf of crime victims in Alameda County totaling $10,740,111.54.  Our Restitution Unit is model for the rest of the State and regularly conducts training for other D.A.'s offices throughout California.  We will continue our work as we enter a new decade, striving to serve all victims of crime throughout the county of Alameda. 

Read pdf file ...
Alameda County Family Justice Center implements comprehensive approach against domestic violence
"The Alameda County Family Justice Center on Oakland's 27th Street offers comprehensive legal and counseling services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims ... The Family Justice Center continues to expand its services. In 2010, the staff plans to offer new counseling sessions and on-site medical services to let victims follow up with a physician in cases that require medical evidence. Now that counties like Alameda have done more to focus attention and resources on domestic violence, more people are finding the help they need."

By: John Grennan
December 28, 2009 - 12:01 am 
Read full article ...
Officer Recognition Awards
Alameda County District Attorney' Office Honors Law Enforcement Officers with Officer Recognition Awards.

District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley and the Office of the District Attorney began a new tradition on December 16, 2009 with a ceremony honoring law enforcement officers from throughout the county.  Attorneys nominated officers for their dedication and exemplary work and the following ten officers were selected to receive the award.

Read pdf ...
Erin Osanna, Alameda County District Attorney Victim Advocate is Profiled

"Victims' advocate at heart of East Bay legal system ... There are 13 advocates throughout the county, with four, including Osanna, working out of the Hayward Hall of Justice. As for what they do, they represent the humanitarian side of the justice system."

Read more ...
Victims' Bill of Rights: Marsy's Law
On 11/4/08, by enacting Proposition 9, referred to as the "Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy's Law" the California citizens voted to provide victims of crimes with certain constitutional rights. By enacting Proposition 9, the California Constitution, Article I, Section 28 (b), has been amended and hereby confers the following rights to those who are victims of crime as defined in the constitution.

Read more ...
COURT CLOSURE DAYS 2010
The Alameda County Superior Court will be closed the third Wednesday of each month.  The closures, which will be treated as holidays for judicial business purposes, are a result of funding reductions.  Court closures will take place in every county throughout the state. 
 The following dates are planned court closures:

January 20, 2010
February 17, 2010
March 17, 2010
April 21, 2010
May 19, 2010
June 16, 2010
 
No court business will be conducted on these dates.  This includes both jury service and traffic court.   The Superior Court's web site has additional information regarding the closures: 
www.alameda.courts.ca.gov
 Consumer Alerts
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office is cracking down on criminal solicitations on Craigslist!
Residents of Alameda County are being advised to be aware of scams on internet sites such as Craigslist and social networking sites such as Facebook.
 
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office recently charged an individual who offered to create paystubs and W-2 forms for people who wanted to obtain home, auto or personal loans.  Creating fake paystubs and W-2 forms is forgery, punishable by up to three years in state prison.  What is worse, consumers who knowingly buy these false paystubs and W-2 forms with the intent to apply for a loan are at risk of exposing themselves to criminal liability for obtaining a loan or money under false pretenses.  
 
The consumer protection division of the DA's Offices urges all consumers to be aware of any online or phone solicitation that offers to help ease your financial situation by asking for money from you upfront.  If you suspect an offer to help you is not genuine, please call the Alameda County District Attorney's consumer protection unit at (510) 569-9281.  Save a copy of the email, phone message, or mail flyer so we can help you determine if the offer is genuine or a scam.
 From the Courtroom
Verdicts
December, 2009
  • On December 11, 2009, Dhani Harris was found guilty of carjacking, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Harris committed these crimes on Thanksgiving Day, 2008 at the Emeryville Marina. DDA Autry James was the prosecutor.

  • On December 10, 2009 Ramiro Quezada was found guilty of two counts of robbery with the use of a gun. On August 29, 2009 Quezada forced employees of the an insurance company on A Street in Hayward to lay on the ground, shot a bullet into the floor by their heads and robbed them. DDA Butch Ford was the prosecutor.

  • Dario Cannon was convicted of first degree murder of Germaine Galloway on December 3, 2009. Galloway was shot and killed on October 3, 2008 after a dispute over the theft of a car stereo. The murder took place       on 90th Avenue in Oakland. Cannon was also convicted of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, with use of a firearm enhancements. The prosecutor was Colleen McMahon.

November, 2009
  • Osman Mejia was found guilty on 11/17/09 of aggravated sexual assault of a child. On March 31, 2008, Mejia raped a 12 year-old girl in the middle of the night in her own home in the city of Hayward. Prosecutor was DDA Susan Torrence.

  • On November 23, 2009, a jury returned a verdict of death in the penalty phase of the murder trial People vs. Christopher Evans. Evans was found guilty of murder with special circumstances by the same jury on July 16, 2009. Evans shot and killed Tina Rose and Tommy Lee Brown after a confrontation at 8422 International Boulevard in Oakland on April 27, 2001. Ms. Rose owned Teez Hair Salon, where the killings took place. The prosecutor was DDA Mike Nieto.

  • Laveutigaotu Laufasa was found guilty on November 10, 2009 of Possession and Transportation of a Controlled Substance when he was arrested at the Oakland Airport on August 11, 2009. Laufasa was caught by screening agents of TSA with two pounds of methamphetamine. DDA Kevin Wong was the prosecutor.

  • Terrence Varner and Jajuan Stroman were found guilty of 2nd degree murder for shooting and killing Clarence Ogden on March 29, 2004. Odgen was killed as the result of an argument that escalated into the murder on East 23rd Avenue in Oakland. DDA Connie Campbell was the prosecutor.

  • Andres Navarro was found guilty of 1st degree murder with enhancements on November 4, 2009. Navarro killed Deandre Sellers after Sellers and Navarro's cousin got into a heated argument about a debt. The murder occurred on 52nd Avenue in Oakland on March 30, 2008. The prosecutor was DDA Tim Wellman.
 Q & A
"What is the telephone number and address for Alameda County Child Support Services?"
1-866-901-3212
 5669 Gibralter Dr.
Pleasanton, CA 94588
 
The web site can be found at: http://www.acgov.org/css/index.htm
Do you have a question for the District Attorney's Office?
The District Attorney's Office receives many calls and e-mails from the public asking a wide variety of questions.  Each month, we will print one of these questions along with the answer.  We hope that many readers will find the information useful.

Please feel free to
e-mail a question of your own that you would like to see answered here.

 Until Next Month ...
We hope you found this newsletter informative.  Please visit our web site at alcoda.org for updated news items as well as more detailed information regarding the District Attorney's Office.  The Alameda County District Attorney's Office wishes you a happy and safe New Year.
Nancy E. O'Malley
Alameda County District Attorney