District Attorney
The Riverside County CA District Attorney provides prosecution services, victim support, criminal justice assistance, and specialized enforcement programs for residents throughout the county. This article explains the office’s responsibilities, major divisions, victim services, reporting procedures, public records access, investigation support, and other services available through the District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Office Responsibilities
The Riverside County District Attorney serves as the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the People. The office enforces the law, pursues the truth, safeguards rights, and works to achieve justice for the community. The District Attorney’s Office works with law enforcement agencies and other parts of the criminal justice system to protect victims, prosecute criminal offenses, and promote public safety.
The office handles criminal filings after cases are referred by law enforcement agencies. A deputy district attorney reviews each case submitted by local law enforcement and determines filing decisions based on the law and available evidence. The District Attorney’s Office generally does not initiate crime reports. Individuals should report crimes to the police department or law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where the incident occurred.
More information about the office mission, services, and organizational responsibilities is available through the Riverside County District Attorney website.
Criminal Prosecution Services
The District Attorney’s Office organizes prosecution responsibilities into specialized units because different crimes require specific experience and resources. These units handle cases ranging from serious violent crimes to specialized investigations involving fraud, public integrity, and community safety.
Major Crime Units
The Prosecution Units include specialized teams that focus on different categories of criminal cases. The Homicide Unit handles murder cases, responds to certain crime scenes, participates in investigations, and works with victim families and law enforcement agencies.
The Gang Unit prosecutes crimes involving criminal street gangs and works with law enforcement agencies to address gang-related offenses. The unit handles cases involving crimes such as drug sales, robbery, and other serious offenses connected to gang activity.
The Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit handles cases involving child abuse and sexual assault involving children or adults. Prosecutors in this unit work with victims and families throughout the criminal process.
The Domestic Violence Unit prosecutes cases involving violence or threats of violence between current or former partners, spouses, dating partners, and family members. The unit works with victims and support staff during criminal proceedings.
Specialized Criminal Cases
The District Attorney’s Office also handles narcotics cases, misdemeanor prosecutions, child abduction cases, crimes against peace officers, vehicular homicide cases, prison-related crimes, and post-release community supervision matters.
The Misdemeanor Teams prosecute non-felony cases throughout Riverside County, including offenses such as driving under the influence, certain drug offenses, shoplifting, battery, trespassing, and disturbing the peace.
The Child Abduction Unit works to recover children who have been unlawfully taken, hidden, or kept from a parent, guardian, or person with legal custody rights. The unit may work across jurisdictions when authorized by court orders.
Special Prosecutions Services
The Special Prosecutions Section focuses on crimes requiring specialized investigation and prosecution skills. These cases include fraud, corruption, environmental crimes, consumer fraud, elder abuse, and other complex offenses.
The section includes units focused on areas such as major fraud, computer crimes, workers’ compensation fraud, auto insurance fraud, consumer fraud, environmental protection, real estate fraud, professional standards, and elder abuse.
Residents can use the Special Prosecutions information page to learn about complaint forms and reporting options for certain types of fraud, public integrity issues, financial crimes, consumer fraud, and environmental crimes.
Consumer And Fraud Cases
The Consumer Protection Unit investigates and prosecutes unfair or dishonest business practices. The unit addresses conduct such as fraudulent business activities, deceptive practices, and schemes that harm consumers or legitimate businesses.
The Real Estate Fraud Unit investigates crimes involving recorded real estate documents, including certain types of home equity fraud, securities fraud connected to real estate, and loan fraud.
The Welfare Fraud Unit prosecutes individuals who commit fraud to receive public assistance benefits, including CalWORKs or food stamp benefits.
Victim Services Division
The Victim Services Division helps crime victims understand the criminal justice process and receive support during court proceedings. Victim Services Specialists work with prosecutors and provide assistance for children, elders, disabled persons, and victims of violent crimes.
Services may include helping victims obtain case status information, providing information about rights, assisting with crime victim compensation applications, offering court accompaniment, and providing referrals for available support services.
Victims can review available programs and support information through the Victim Services Division information.
Victim Rights Information
Crime victims have rights under the law, but many people may not know how those rights apply during a criminal case. The District Attorney’s Office provides information about victim rights, witness information, court procedures, restitution information, and related topics.
The District Attorney represents the People of the State of California in criminal court and does not act as an individual victim’s personal attorney. A victim cannot personally file or dismiss criminal charges because those decisions are made by the prosecutor.
Bureau Of Investigation
The Bureau of Investigation supports the prosecutorial and law enforcement work of the District Attorney’s Office. The bureau conducts investigations, supports criminal cases, protects victims’ rights, and works to find the truth through investigative services.
The Bureau of Investigation includes sworn investigators and support personnel who assist with criminal investigations, evidence-related work, and prosecution activities.
Information about the bureau’s mission and office locations is available through the Bureau of Investigation information page.
Investigation Services
The Bureau of Investigation assists with cases filed through the District Attorney’s Office and provides investigative support for criminal prosecutions. Investigators may work with prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, victims, and witnesses during case preparation.
Reporting Crimes And Complaints
The District Attorney’s Office generally does not take initial crime reports. Crimes should be reported to the appropriate police department or law enforcement agency where the crime occurred. If law enforcement determines that charges should be filed, the case may be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for review.
Certain matters involving consumer fraud, environmental crimes, or misconduct by public officials may be reported directly to the Special Prosecutions Section.
Public Records Requests
The District Attorney’s Office provides a Public Records Center where members of the public can submit records requests, track request status, and access available records through the office’s records system.
The District Attorney Public Records Center provides access to the public records request process.
U Visa And T Visa Requests
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office reviews certain U Visa and T Visa certification requests for eligible crimes that were filed by the office. Applicants must submit required certification forms, identifying information, and relevant records as part of the request process.
The office reviews requests according to applicable requirements and cannot provide legal advice regarding immigration certification forms. Applicants needing legal guidance should seek assistance from a qualified source.
Crime Prevention Programs
The Crime Prevention Unit supports public safety through prevention and intervention programs. The unit includes deputy district attorneys and Victim Services Specialists who work on community education and prevention efforts.
Programs include safety and awareness presentations addressing topics such as gang awareness, drug awareness, bullying, internet safety, human trafficking, juvenile legal issues, domestic violence awareness, and healthy relationships.
The unit also supports school attendance efforts through School Attendance Review Board participation and provides youth literacy programs designed to encourage education and reduce involvement in the criminal justice system.
Office Locations
The District Attorney’s Office serves different regions throughout Riverside County. The office provides regional locations for public inquiries and services, including Western, Southwestern, Mid-County, and Eastern regions.
Individuals seeking information about a criminal case should use the appropriate office contact information based on the matter involved. Case-related questions may require communication with the prosecutor assigned to the case or the appropriate division.
District Attorney Offices
Riverside County District Attorney
3960 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-5400
Bureau of Investigation - Riverside Location
3960 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501
951.955.5400
Bureau of Investigation - Southwest Location
30755 Auld Road, 3rd Floor, Murrieta, CA 92563
951.304.5450
Bureau of Investigation - Indio Location
82-995 Highway 111, Suite 101, Indio, CA 92201
760.863.8216
Bureau of Investigation - Banning Location
135 North Alessandro Street, Banning CA 92220
951.922.7130
District Attorney FAQs
How do I report a crime to the District Attorney’s Office?
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office generally does not take initial crime reports. Criminal incidents should first be reported to the police department or law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where the incident occurred. After an investigation, law enforcement may refer the case to the District Attorney’s Office for review and possible filing decisions. Certain matters involving fraud, environmental crimes, or public integrity concerns may be submitted through the office’s Special Prosecutions information.
How are criminal charges reviewed and filed?
When a case is referred by a law enforcement agency, a deputy district attorney reviews the available evidence and applicable laws to determine whether charges should be filed and what charges are appropriate. Filing decisions are based on the facts of the case and legal requirements. The office’s Prosecution Units information explains how specialized teams handle different types of criminal matters, including major crimes, domestic violence, child abuse, and other specialized cases.
Where can crime victims get help during a case?
Victims can receive assistance from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Division of Victim Services throughout the criminal justice process. Victim Services Specialists help individuals understand case information, learn about victim rights, receive court assistance, and access referrals or support programs. The division also assists eligible victims with crime victim compensation applications and provides guidance during court proceedings. More details are available through the Victim Services page.
Can the District Attorney provide legal advice for personal disputes?
The District Attorney’s Office handles criminal prosecution matters and does not act as a private attorney for individual residents. The office cannot provide personal legal advice, file civil lawsuits for individuals, or represent someone in a private dispute. People involved in a criminal case should use the appropriate legal channels and court information related to their matter.
How can I request records from the District Attorney’s Office?
Members of the public can submit requests for available records through the Riverside County District Attorney’s Public Records Center. The online system allows users to submit a request and track its status through the records request process. Requests are reviewed according to applicable public records requirements and office procedures.