office of the district attorney
This web page describes the function and role of the Office of the District Attorney. The goal of providing this information is to give the citizens of Colusa County a better and more complete understanding of the functions and responsibilities of the District Attorney's Office.
The District Attorney is both the public prosecutor and chief law officer
of the county, and is charged with the duty of investigating as well as
prosecuting. His authority to investigate the facts before acting is
unlimited and discretionary. His jurisdiction applies to any place within
the county in investigating offenses to which criminal and civil penalties
apply. The District Attorney is equally charged with the duty to
investigate and prosecute crime and these functions are inseparable. No
one may institute criminal proceedings without the concurrence, approval
or authorization of the District Attorney.
Investigation and gathering of evidence relating to criminal offenses is a
responsibility which is inseparable from the District Attorney's
prosecutorial function. His Bureau of Investigation is the law enforcement
division within his office which performs this part of the prosecutorial
function. The District Attorney himself has no peace officer powers,
however by law has the authority to hire sworn peace officers to assist
him in his duties, thus creating the tandem relationship that facilitates
his full and discretionary authority to both prosecute and investigate the
facts, unilaterally, in any jurisdiction.
The California Constitution and the California Government Code provide
authority for the various state and county officers by describing their
responsibilities, functions, and roles. The District Attorney is one of
the designated county officers and is established by the California
Constitution. The District Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer
of the county. The District Attorney is an elected official who serves a
term of four years. The District Attorney acts both as a county officer
and as a state officer in performing the duties of the office.
The District Attorney also wants to recognize and express appreciation for
the hard work and dedication of all members of the law enforcement
community with whom we work on a daily basis, the support we receive from
the Board of Supervisors in carrying out our duties, and the help we
receive from the citizens of our county who help us protect our
communities by serving as trial jurors, testifying in court as witnesses,
and supporting law enforcement in general.