In 1989, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office became the first office in California to successfully introduce D.N.A. "genetic fingerprinting" evidence in a criminal case.


      Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008       

The California Constitution, Article 1, Section 28, confers certain rights to victims of crime. The following resources may be helpful to victims in obtaining information regarding their case and important services.

Information about Conviction, Sentence, Incarceration, Release, and Escape.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Jail: (805) 654-3335
  • Contact the Sheriff’s Department for information on whether or not an adult defendant is in County Jail custody and to request notice upon release.

Ventura County Probation Department: (805) 654-2132 

  • Contact the Probation Department for information on whether or not a juvenile offender is in custody and to request notice upon release. 

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: (877) 256-6877

  • Contact the Department of Corrections for information on the release, escape, or death of a State Prison inmate.

Notice of and Presence at Public Hearings

  • Ventura County Superior Court Website: www.ventura.courts.ca.gov.Visit the Ventura County Superior Court Website for information on filed criminal cases. You will need the name of the defendant and the defendant’s date of birth.

The Prompt Return of Property

  • Ventura County District Attorney’s Office (805) 654-2500. Contact the District Attorney’s Office to arrange for the return of property when it is no longer needed as evidence. You will need to speak to the Deputy District Attorney assigned to the case.

Conference with the Prosecution and Notice of Pretrial Disposition

  • Ventura County District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Division: (805) 654-3622. Contact the District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Division to request notice and confer with the prosecuting agency regarding the charges filed and to be informed before any pretrial disposition of the case.

Appearance at Court Proceedings and Expression of Views

  • Ventura County District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Division: (805) 654-3622. Contact the District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Division for information on the victim’s right to be heard at any proceeding. 

Notice of Parole Procedures and Release on Parole

  • California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: (877) 256-6877. Contact the Department of Corrections for notice of parole procedures and release on parole.

Local Resources 

  • Ventura County District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Division: (805) 654-3622. The Crime Victims’ Assistance Division is staffed by trained victim advocates who are available to help victims of all crimes. Spanish-speaking advocates are available. In addition, specially trained victim advocates are available to assist senior citizens and victims with developmental or physical disabilities.

Other Local Resources

  • Domestic violence victims: Contact The Coalition to End Family Violence: (800) 300-2181 or Interface Children and Family Services: (800) 636-6738 for emergency shelter and counseling services.
  • Domestic violence restraining orders: Contact the District Attorney’s Crime Victims’ Assistance Division for assistance in obtaining a domestic violence restraining order. West County: (805) 654-3622. East County: (805) 306-7926.
  • Sexual assault victims: Contact The Coalition to End Family Violence: (805) 983-6240 for rape crisis services.
  • Victims of drunk driving: Contact Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): (916) 481-6233.
  • Parents of murdered children: Contact the Ventura County Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children: (805) 236-8517 for support groups. 
  • General referrals: Dial 211 for information and referral services.