Do You Have Questions about How Our Criminal Justice System Works?

Come Learn with the League

How does the Criminal Justice System work in Sonoma County?

How does the District Attorney (DA) decide which crimes to prosecute?

Which cases are assigned to the Public Defender?

Tune in on Wednesday, April 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm via Zoom or Facebook Live Streaming when these questions will be answered at the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County “Learn with the League” Presentation about the functions of the District Attorney and the Public Defender. 

One of the primary missions of the League of Women Voters is to have the electorate become more informed about how government works.  The goal of this Learn with the League presentation is to help the public understand the roles of DA and Public  Defender in the administration of justice, and not to criticize or to praise any incumbent.  The Zoom presentation will include a live Spanish translation.

Specific learning objectives include:

• Learn what powers the DA’s office has in determining who goes to trial.
• Learn how the case of an arrested individual is assessed by the DA’s office, including decisions not to pursue prosecution (diversion, etc.)
• Hear about approaches by different DA’s in California.
• Learn about the role of the Public Defender.
• Understand how the Public Defender decides whom to represent.
• Gain insights about how the COVID pandemic has impacted the justice system.

Our Panel will be retiring District Attorney Jill Ravitch and Lynn Stark-Slater, Esq., Chief Deputy from the Public Defender Office, moderated by League member Jim Masters.

A hotlink to the event will be posted on the League website https://www.lwvsonoma.org/ under “Upcoming Events.”  The event will be recorded and posted the week after the presentation on the League’s YouTube Channel.  Questions can be emailed in advance or during the event to questions@lwvsonoma.org