Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family & MADD Candlelight Vigil – Justice Journal Episode 61
Release Date: 01/01/2025
A Preventable Tragedy: The Reality of DUI Cases
Off the Record
Episode Title: A Preventable Tragedy: The Reality of DUI Cases Description: In this special episode of Off the Record, Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin walks listeners through the tragic reality of DUI-related incidents. This episode includes real body worn camera footage from an investigation involving a driver whose choices led to devastating consequences. We are sharing this material to raise awareness about the real-life impact of impaired driving. A life was lost from a single decision that also...
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Click with Caution: Keeping Kids Safe from Online Exploitation (Part One)
Off the Record
Show Notes In this powerful two-part special, Deputy DA Catrina Ranum spoke with ICAC detectives and prosecutors on Safer Internet Day to shed light on the dark reality of online predators. This discussion reveals the critical work being done to protect children from internet crimes and the dangers lurking in digital spaces. Viewer discretion is advised. Part One: Covers the case background, including how these investigations start and the strategies law enforcement uses to track down online predators. Part Two: Features an in-depth conversation with an...
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Did You Know? How to Spot & Stop Hate Crimes
Off the Record
Episode Title: Did You Know? How to Spot & Stop Hate Crimes Description: In this episode, we explore the legal distinctions between hate crimes and non-hate crimes, and the complexities involved in proving a hate crime. Our expert guests explain how hate crimes are defined, how intent and motivation play a role, and the impact that a hate crime enhancement can have on sentencing. Additionally, they offer important advice for the public on how to report crimes, stay vigilant, and access support throughout the investigative and legal processes. Key Highlights: ...
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Inside the Case: Sarah's Story
Off the Record
Podcast Description: Welcome to the first-ever episode of Off the Record, the official podcast from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office! Hosted by Deputy District Attorney Catrina Ranum, this brand new podcast dives into the inner workings of our justice system and showcases the dedicated professionals working to keep Sacramento safe. In this premiere episode, Catrina is joined by Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin and Sacramento City Police Department Detective Jason Collins to discuss how prosecutors and law enforcement collaborate to pursue justice and protect the...
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Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family & MADD Candlelight Vigil – Justice Journal Episode 61
Off the Record
Video available on Description: Discussion with parents who lost their young daughter to a repeat DUI offender and her sister, who is now a MADD victim advocate. The family shares how their loss has impacted their lives and how MADD has helped them through the years. Show Notes: Larry and Kathy Harris talk about their 12-year-old daughter, Irene, who was killed by a repeat DUI offender in 1981. They recount the day Irene was killed, the circumstances of what happened, how they found out and how the loss of Irene forever changed their family and lives. They also talk about the...
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Episode 60: Driving Under the Influence: California Highway Patrol’s Drug Recognition Experts & Field Sobriety Tests
Off the Record
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Driving Under the Influence-Spotlight: Department of Motor Vehicles Consequences and Accountability - Justice Journal Episode 59
Off the Record
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Driving Under the Influence-Spotlight: DUI Offender Program - Justice Journal Episode 58
Off the Record
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Driving Under the Influence-Spotlight: Misdemeanor DUI Deputy District Attorneys - Justice Journal Episode 57
Off the Record
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Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)- Justice Journal Episode 56
Off the Record
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...
info_outlineVideo available on https://youtu.be/OMcB7b9J7M4
Description: Discussion with parents who lost their young daughter to a repeat DUI offender and her sister, who is now a MADD victim advocate. The family shares how their loss has impacted their lives and how MADD has helped them through the years.
Show Notes: Larry and Kathy Harris talk about their 12-year-old daughter, Irene, who was killed by a repeat DUI offender in 1981. They recount the day Irene was killed, the circumstances of what happened, how they found out and how the loss of Irene forever changed their family and lives. They also talk about the court process in 1981 and how they had no voice or rights at that time. Irene’s older sister, Rhonda Campbell, shares her experience with losing Irene and how she witnessed her parents having no power within the criminal justice system.
Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin outlines the different DUI/DUID charges and potential sentences to highlight how the laws and criminal justice have changed since Irene was killed. The laws and penalties are much harsher, with the possibility of filing murder charges as the DA’s Office has successfully done in many DUI/DUID cases.
Rhonda talks about how her personal experience losing her sister to a DUI offender led her to become a MADD victim advocate. She explains what her role entails, different programs and services MADD offers and how she works with the DA’s Office on prevention efforts. She also shares information about MADD’s annual candlelight vigil and how people can get involved.
Courtney speaks to the different prevention programs the DA’s Office hosts and participates in with partner law enforcement agencies, the Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, the court and community organizations, including Arrive Alive, CA and MADD.
The emphasis for both MADD’s and DA’s Office prevention efforts is on high school students and teen drivers.
The episode ends with Larry, Kathy and Rhonda asking listeners not to let another family go through what their family has endured and not to drive while impaired and help others not to make that dangerous decision. They encourage people to take a ride-share, taxi or have a sober driver.
RESOURCES:
https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/
https://www.sacda.org/victim-services/