Riverside County District Attorney
Recent News About Riverside County District Attorney
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Riverside County DA's office opposes move to declare death penalty unconstitutional
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has voiced its opposition to the efforts spearheaded by the Office of the State Public Defender and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to declare the death penalty unconstitutional in California. This position was taken in response to the ongoing case, Office of the State Public Defender v. Bonta, which is currently under consideration by the California Supreme Court.
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COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER FOR VIGILS HELD DURING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
District Attorney Mike Hestrin of Riverside recently hosted two candlelight vigils during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor and remember victims of violent crimes. Speaking at the vigil in front of the Historic Courthouse, Hestrin emphasized the importance of speaking the truth about crime and victims, stating, “We are going to continue to insist that the victim’s voice be heard.”At the vigil in Palm Desert, Sophia Flores, mother of Manual Hernandez, shared her story of loss and resilience after her son was killed by her nephew in 2014. In Riverside, Catherine...
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REGIONAL COLD CASE UNIT SEEKS HELP TO IDENTIFY FAMILY OF VICTIM MURDERED IN 1989
The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Unit is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the family of a victim murdered in 1989. The victim, identified as Jorge Lopez-Serano, was found with a single gunshot wound to his chest in a ravine off Highway 79, south of Interstate 10, in the Beaumont area. Lopez-Serrano, a Mexican National, had a wife and children while residing in La Paz, Mexico in 1987."Lopez-Serrano had a wife and children while residing in La Paz, Mexico in 1987." - Mexican ConsulateThe Cold Case Unit is now reaching out to the public for any...
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California Coalition Submits Over 900,000 Signatures for November Ballot Initiative
RIVERSIDE – The Californians for Safer Communities Coalition has announced the submission of over 900,000 voter signatures to qualify the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act for the November General Election ballot.DA Hestrin, expressing gratitude for the public's support, emphasized the importance of prioritizing community safety through the proposed ballot measure. Hestrin stated, "We must prioritize the safety of our communities. This proposed ballot measure does just that, fixing prior legislation that has harmed public safety. I am grateful for the...
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Hestrin: 'Deputy Calhoun showed incredible courage during a terrifying situation'
The Riverside County District Attorney's Office is seeking to pursue the death penalty against the man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Deputy Darnell Calhoun.
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Cathedral City man convicted of four murders in Palm Springs in 2019: 'Some people just want to kill'
A 23-year-old Cathedral City man found guilty last week in the Palm Springs quadruple murders could be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole, according to Palm Desert Patch.
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Riverside district attorney: 'Victims of crime deserve the right to be the priority'
A severe shortage of Riverside County judges caused the dismissal of three child sexual assault cases, which were then immediately refiled, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.
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Riverside County District Attorney: 'Our office continues the urgent work of educating our residents about the dangers of fentanyl and holding those accountable who peddle this poison'
To combat the fentanyl crisis rapidly growing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, federal and local law enforcement have launched a new public education campaign called "Death in Disguise".
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Riverside County's Hestrin on mass dismissal of court cases: 'One thousand cases dismissed is a thousand too many'
The Association of Riverside County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff (ARCCOPS) is urging county judges to end their "reckless dismissal" of criminal cases.
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Riverside County DA files charges against Palm Springs man
Charges were filed against a Palm Springs man accused of a deadly shooting that occurred in Desert Hot Springs in November.
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Female victim in 31-year-old Riverside County cold case identified through 'forensic genealogy investigation'
The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team identified the remains of a 31-year-old cold case victim thanks to the use of forensic genealogy.
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Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. ordered to pay $535K for 'environmental violations'
A lawsuit against The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in California was settled recently.