Real Estate Fraud: Successful Jury Trial During COVID-19 And Fraud Awareness - Justice Journal Episode 41
Release Date: 11/18/2020
Driving Under the Influence-Spotlight: DIU Offender Program - Justice Journal Episode 58
Justice Journal
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Driving Under the Influence-Spotlight: Misdemeanor DUI Deputy District Attorneys - Justice Journal Episode 57
Justice Journal
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Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)- Justice Journal Episode 56
Justice Journal
Description: Discussion with longtime driving under the influence (DUI) prevention partner the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) about how the organization works to protect the safety of all those on our highways and roads as well as pedestrians. Show Notes: Guest Deputy Director of Marketing & Public Affairs Tim Weisberg from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves – their backgrounds and current roles. Weisberg describes his past professional background and his current role managing...
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Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight on Prevention Partners- Justice Journal Episode 55
Justice Journal
Description: Discussion with two longtime DUI/DUID prevention partner organizations Arrive Alive, CA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving about prevention programs, focusing on the Real DUI Court in Schools program, the importance of reaching children early and the importance of partnerships. Show Notes: Guests Arrive Alive CA CEO Angela Webb, MADD Victim Services Specialist Rhonda Campbell and Lead Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Gregory Hayes introduce themselves. Hayes explains his current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach...
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Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family Member, Prevention Advocate- Justice Journal Episode 54
Justice Journal
Description: A personal story of losing a loved one to a DUI offender nearly 14 years ago, the lasting impacts of that loss, about the court process, what more can be done to prevent DUI crashes and deaths and what is being done to help victims and prevent more DUI tragedies. Show Notes: Guests Cody Spaeth and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves. Deputy DA Hayes explains his current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of...
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Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family Member, MADD Advocate- Justice Journal Episode 53
Justice Journal
Description: A personal story of losing a loved one to a DUI offender decades ago, the lasting impacts of that loss, how the case was handled at that time, the progress made with current DUI cases, what more can be done and how MADD and the DA’s Office is working to help victims and prevent more DUI tragedies. Show Notes: Guests Rhonda Campbell and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves and their current roles related to DUI cases, victim advocacy and prevention efforts. Rhonda begins the discussion by sharing her personal story – starting with...
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Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Involving Prescription/Mixed Drugs - Justice Journal Episode 52
Justice Journal
Description: Discussion on DUI involving prescription and mixed drugs, and how to avoid driving while having an unintentional or intentional adverse reaction to prescription medicines and/or other drugs. Show Notes: Lead Deputy District Attorney Greg Hayes, Supervising Criminalist Craig Triebold and CHP Officer Travis Herbert participate in a discussion on DUIs involving prescription medicines and mixed drugs. Officer Herbert talks about the challenge of identifying DUIs as a result of prescription and/or other drugs. They are general impairment arrests, with cause of impairment to be...
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Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Youth Prevention - Justice Journal Episode 51
Justice Journal
Description: Discussion on problem of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and/or drugs (DUID) and the education and prevention efforts among youth – focusing mostly on teenagers. Show Notes: Judge Curtis Fiorini, Deputy District Attorney Stefanie Mahaffey, CEO Angela Webb of Arrive Alive, California and CHP Officer Travis Herbert discuss the issue of DUI/DUID and efforts to educate and prevent teenagers from becoming offenders or victims. They start by talking about the problem of DUI/DUID in the Sacramento community. In 2020, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office filed...
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Mass Victimization Trauma and the Crisis Response Team - Justice Journal Episode 50
Justice Journal
Description: Discussion on what mass victimization trauma is and how the Mass Victimization Crisis Response Team works together to provide support services for those directly and indirectly impacted by a large-scale, multi-victim criminal incident. Show Notes: District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager Nina Acosta provides a general overview of the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program and what services they provide to victims of crime. Nina and District Attorney Victim Advocate Michelle Husbands define and discuss mass victimization trauma...
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Surviving Evil: Survivors Turned Advocates - Justice Journal Episode 49
Justice Journal
Description: A discussion with survivors of the East Area Rapist turned advocates in recognition of Victim Rights month moderated by Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho. Guests are Kris Pedretti and Gay Hardwick. Show Notes: Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Thien Ho moderates a discussion about two survivors who faced the East Area rapist and lived to talk about it. They are now advocates that help other survivors find their voice. Kris Pedretti talks about her encounter with the East Area Rapist when she was just 15 years old. ...
info_outlineDescription: Discussion on a real estate fraud case that went to jury trial in the age of the pandemic, the impact the case had on the victims and tips to avoid becoming a real estate fraud victim. Guests are DA Deputy District Attorney Sam Nong, DA Investigator Jason Halstead and fraud victims Carolyn, Maria and Eman.
Show Notes: This episode is part of a series highlighting successful jury trials held in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as an effort to raise awareness about fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week.
Sam and Jason introduce themselves and explain their roles within the Real Estate Fraud Unit. They also provide background on what kinds of cases they investigate and prosecute as well as how these cases are reported.
Sam and Jason talk through the case of People vs. Shaun Smith and Peter Halo by providing the facts in the case, including the crimes committed and the victims they targeted.
Some of the victims in this case, Carolyn, Maria and Eman, then introduce themselves and share what happened to them, how they were victimized by the defendants and the impact it had on them and their families.
Sam and Jason talk through the prosecution of this case – from the initial investigation and filing of charges, to jury trial and sentencing. They also discussed holding the jury trial during COVID-19 and how things were done differently to keep everyone safe through the court process. They brought up some challenges and inspirational aspects that came about from the experience.
Carolyn, Maria and Eman shared how their thoughts and feelings when the defendants were convicted and sentenced as well as having the jury trial under unprecedented circumstances.
The group offers tips and alerts to help others avoid becoming victims to similar fraud scams.
The discussion closes with silver linings, including how the victims developed friendships with each other and the prosecution team.
For updates on when programs will start again after COVID-19, visit the Invictus Youth Foundation website or Facebook page. There will also be information on upcoming fundraising events, including a potential golf tournament in October, a banquet and possible concert fundraisers.
Resources:
Press release: People vs. Shaun Smith and Peter Halo
For more information on Real Estate Fraud and to report suspected fraud, visit: https://www.sacda.org/in-the-courtroom/real-estate-fraud/
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