FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
DIALOGUE WITH THE DA (520-6174)
The District Attorney meets with community leaders, business representatives, bar association leaders, and citizens to discuss issues, concerns, and trends for the Pikes Peak region. Begun in 2005, this advisory group meets on a quarterly basis.
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS (520-6000)
The Criminal Division is comprised of County Court, District Court and Juvenile Court and prosecutes all felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases in the Fourth Judicial District of El Paso and Teller Counties. Historically, this division handles more cases per Deputy D.A. than other District Attorney's Offices in Colorado. The Criminal Division is also responsible for providing assistance to the Grand Jury and legal education and assistance to local law enforcement agencies in a variety of specialty areas, including homicide, arson, drugs, organized crime, pornography, vehicular homicide and parole revocations.
INVESTIGATIONS (520-6002)
The principal function of the District Attorney's Office investigators is to provide pre-trial investigative services in the prosecution of District, County and Juvenile Court cases. Process servers work to ensure that necessary witnesses are subpoenaed to court. The investigators are also called upon to conduct many sensitive investigations, including instances of alleged police misconduct, undercover operations and Grand Jury inquiries.
JUVENILE PROSECUTIONS (520-6073)
The Juvenile Division provides special attention to the increasing problem of crimes committed by youths. The law requires that the juvenile justice system consider the "best interests of the child" as well as the protection of the public. This is especially difficult at a time when young offenders are frequently involved in serious criminal activities. The District Attorney's Office seeks to deal with juvenile offenders in a manner which is attentive to the interests of the juvenile while still providing maximum protection to the community.
JUVENILE OFFENDER SERVICES (520-6074)
The Juvenile Diversion program is designed for first-time non-violent offenders between the ages of 10 and 17 and provides them with individual counseling and access to community services. After completing the program, each juvenile is monitored for a two-year period to determine if he/she re-offends. This program is voluntary; however, if the juvenile qualifies, he must admit to the offense, make restitution, and the family must cooperate with the juvenile's individualized program. Historically, between 85 and 90 percent of the juveniles completing the diversion program do not re-offend within the two-year follow-up period. (more information)
KIDS AGAINST CRIME WORKSHOPS (520-6074)
Designed to provide area fifth and sixth-grade students with an understanding of Colorado law and the issues that young people often face, this two-hour program is presented by community volunteers to approximately 4000 students annually.
ECONOMIC CRIME (520-6002)
The District Attorney's Office has been a leader in protecting the public from consumer fraud and economic crime. Prosecution of "white collar" crime cases, which range from theft by deception to embezzlement to sophisticated securities violations, is the principal function of the Economic Crime Division. This division also accepts direct consumer complaints regarding violations of the Consumer Protection Act, Mortgage Fraud, Real Estate Fraud, and Securities Fraud. All other violations should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. (more information)
CHECK FRAUD UNIT (866-398-0759)www.checkprogram.com/4thjudicialco
The Bad Check Restitution Program is designed to assist local merchants and individuals with bad check losses. The primary goal is to create a self supporting program that obtains restitution for the victim while deterring repeat offenders. First time offenders are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending a mandatory intervention class, in addition to paying restitution. When appropriate, prosecution will be pursued for those offenders whose actions warrant stiffer punishment. If the offender is prosecuted, full restitution will be sought.(more information)
WELFARE FRAUD (520-6000)
The District Attorney's Office handles the prosecution of all types of welfare fraud. This includes recipient fraud, and may cover assistance payments, food stamps, medicaid, day care, nursing homes, foster care and other services.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENHANCED RESPONSE TEAM (444-7813)
The Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) is a collaborative program designed to identify the most lethal domestic violence perpetrators in the Fourth Judicial District. The Office of the District Attorney, in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Police Department, The Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, the El Paso County Department of Human Services, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, and numerous other area agencies, seeks to bring a seamless systems response to identified DVERT offenders and their victims. The DVERT program has been nationally recognized for its unique and creative approach to combating domestic violence in our community.
VICTIM-WITNESS SERVICES (520-6049)
The District Attorney's Office provides assistance to victims and witnesses throughout the court process. Victims of crime are provided with information about their cases as they progress through the courts and are advised of dispositions in the cases. Brochures are available to answer questions that victims and witnesses may have concerning the judicial system. A secure waiting room is available in the courthouse where victims and witnesses can wait before testifying in court. In addition, the District Attorney's Office is available to provide victims with whatever assistance is required so that they are prepared to testify at trial.
The VICTIM-WITNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM is designed to assist victims of crime with medical costs, mental health therapy, funeral expenses and lost wages.
The Victim-Witness coordinator is responsible for screening all applications from the Fourth Judicial District. A board of three citizens appointed by the District Attorney makes awards to the victims. Funds for the program are obtained through amounts added to the costs that are paid by the persons convicted of crimes, so that funds for the victims come, not from taxpayers, but from the perpetrators of crimes.
The District Attorney's Office makes every attempt to assist in RESTITUTION ordered by the courts. Restitution may include the cost of repairing or replacing stolen merchandise. The money is paid by the defendant to the court registry fund, which in turn pays the victim for their expenses. (more information)
CIVIL LITIGATION UNIT (444-7519)
Under Colorado statutes, the District Attorney does have authority in certain areas of civil law.
The District Attorney is required to give his written opinion on all questions of law having reference to the duties of a county officer, when so requested. Representation has been provided to the County Sheriff, County Assessor, Public Trustee, Clerk and Recorder, Election Department, and the Board of County Commissioners.
The District Attorney represents the Colorado Department of Revenue on appeals from decisions regarding licenses to drive and motor vehicles. Representation and enforcement action is also rendered to assist the El Paso County Health Department.
Additionally, the District Attorney performs a key role in the forfeiture of criminal assets.
The District Attorney seeks court orders to end conditions that exist in violation of nuisance statutes and to seize property used in the commission of a crime. The property seized from drug offenders is reinvested in the fight against drugs in the Pikes Peak region. Legal advice and assistance is also provided to the Metro Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence Unit (Metro VNI).
CHILD ABUSE DIVERSION (520-6032)
The Child Abuse Diversion Program is for misdemeanor child abuse offenders and their children. The purpose of the program is to intervene legally and therapeutically with first-time minor offenders. The treatment program offers behavioral alternatives designed to break the cycle of child abuse. A main component of this program is volunteer parents who share parenting skills with program participants. Referrals are obtained from the Department of Social Services, other law enforcement agencies, schools and the general public.
NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER (520-6016)
The Center helps citizens to peacefully resolve minor disputes and altercations through mediation and to achieve long-lasting solutions, thus reducing the heavy caseloads of the courts. Referrals are received from law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney's Office, judicial and community agencies, as well as self-referrals. (more information)
PUBLIC SPEAKERS (520-6174)
Attorneys and staff from all District Attorney's Office departments are available for speeches at area schools and civic organizations. Speakers are available to discuss various areas of law, and well as citizens' rights and obligations. The District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney and numerous other individuals make public appearances on a regular basis in the hope of reducing crime and creating a better informed community.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (520-6037)
Community volunteers in the District Attorney's Office volunteer program provide valuable assistance and perform a wide range of functions in the Office. About half of all our volunteers provide administrative support, while others participate in special programs not mandated by state statute, such as the Kids Against Crime workshops for area fifth and sixth-grade students. Volunteers have an opportunity to gain insight into the criminal justice system and perform valuable community service. (more information)
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (520-6102)
Created by John Newsome in 2005, the Special Victims Unit is the first of its kind in the State of Colorado. Five Deputy District Attorneys are assigned to handle felony sexual assaults, felony child abuse and homicides, assaults against the elderly and at risk adults, and sex offender registration violations. By pairing a prosecution team with each victim in need of special attention, the District Attorney's Office can more effectively prosecute serious offenders and uphold the rights of victims.