Q. Do I need to pay for any services provided by the DA's Office?

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All DA's Office services are FREE/no cost.

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Q. What happens when my case goes to the DA's Office?

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Click here for an explanation of what happens to your case: https://www.sdcda.org/prosecuting/crime-to-criminal-case/index.html or https://www.sdcda.org/office/criminal-justice-system

 

For more information on what the District Attorney does, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iha1Ou_sqao

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Q. Who is the assigned DDA for my case?

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Please call the general phone number for the branch handling your case. (Your branch phone number is listed in the second paragraph of the Case Issued text you received. If you're not sure which branch is handling your case, this map shows the boundaries of our four branches.)

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All branch phone numbers are also listed below:

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East County Branch       (619) 441-4588

North County Branch    (706) 806-4004

South County Branch    (619) 498-5650

Central Branch                (619) 531-4040

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Q. How can I get a status update on my case?

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There are several ways to get case status updates.

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Check out https://www.sdcda.org/case. At this link, you can look up what's next for your case starting 5 days after you received your Case Issued text. You can also register your email at https://www.sdcda.org/case to ensure you receive automatic case updates as soon as they are entered into the system.

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Or, you can call the general phone number for the branch handling your case.

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Q. Can I speak with the district attorney about why charges are not being filed?

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Absolutely. Please call the general phone number for the branch handling your case and ask to speak to the DA assigned to your case:

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East County Branch       (619) 441-4588

North County Branch    (706) 806-4004

South County Branch    (619) 498-5650

Central Branch                (619) 531-4040

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Q. How do I submit additional evidence for my case?

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Additional evidence needs to be submitted to the law enforcement agency who arrested the defendant. Below is a listing of local law enforcement agencies and their investigation or non-emergency phone numbers:

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• California Highway Patrol: (858) 293-6000

• Carlsbad Police Department: (442) 339-2197

• Chula Vista Police Department: (619) 691-5146 (property crimes)

• Coronado Police Department: (619) 522-7364

• El Cajon Police Department: (619) 579-3320

• Escondido Police Department: (619) 839-4722

• Harbor Police Department: (619) 686-6272

• La Mesa Police Department: (619) 667-1400

• National City Police Department: (619) 336-4460

• Oceanside Police Department: (760) 435-4580 

• San Diego Police Department: (click here for a listing of all investigation contact numbers by geographic area)

• San Diego County Sheriff's Department: (858) 868-3200

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Q. Can I drop the charges on my case?

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No. Here's why: in California it's up to the District Attorney's Office to decide whether we can prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. While we ask for your input, the ultimate decision whether to file charges or not rests with the DA's Office.

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However, you are welcome to complete a victim statement form to provide additional details about the crime. This form must be completed by you, without assistance from anyone else, and while seated in the DA's Office waiting area. Click here to see the address for each branch office. You must also present a driver's license, state identification card, passport, or military ID in person prior to submitting the form. Please note: the victim statement is confidential and may be provided to the defense if a criminal case is filed. The victim statement will be reviewed by a Deputy District Attorney but may not affect whether a criminal case is filed.

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Q. Who can help me with questions about child abduction/child custody?

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Please call the Child Abduction Unit at (619) 531-4345.

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Q. How can I file a restraining order?

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This self-help guide to restraining orders in the state of California provides information on the different types of restraining orders you can file. It also provides detailed and helpful step-by-step assistance and the necessary forms for requesting a restraining order. You can also call the restraining order desk for East County (619) 456-4100; North County (760) 201-8600; and South County (619) 746-6200.

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Q. How can I learn more about victim restitution?

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Please visit: https://www.sdcda.org/helping/victims/Restitution-faqs, which answers common questions about restitution, including who is eligible and what expenses are covered. To submit a restitution request, go to: https://www.sdcda.org/helping/victims/restitution. You can also call the Restitution Recovery Team at (619) 531-3517 for additional information and assistance.

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Q. What other resources are available to me as a victim?

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Please visit: https://www.sdcda.org/helping/victims/victim-services to learn more about victim services for information on resources. 

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Q. Can I get a copy of my police report?

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You can request a copy of your police report directly from the law enforcement agency that took it (links or phone numbers are below):

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• California Highway Patrol

• Carlsbad Police Department: Call 760-931-2119

• Chula Vista Police Department

• Coronado Police Department: Call 619 522-7366

• El Cajon Police Department

• Escondido Police Department

• Harbor Police Department

• La Mesa Police Department

• National City Police Department: Call 619-336-4400

• Oceanside Police Department

• San Diego Police Department

• San Diego County Sheriff's Department

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Q. Is the suspect in jail? Can I be notified if the suspect is released from jail?

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You can find out if a person is in jail here: https://apps.sdsheriff.net/wij/wij.aspx

 

You can also register here to get alerts on your cell phone about prisoner releases: https://vinelink.vineapps.com/state/CA

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