Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, a crime must be reported to the police department or other law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction over the city or county where the crime occurred. For example, if the crime occurred in the City of Santa Barbara, Lompoc or Santa Maria, it should be reported to the local police department. If the crime was committed in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County, the crime should be reported to the Sheriff's Office. However, there are certain exceptions. Crimes involving consumer fraud, and environmental crimes should be reported directly to the District Attorney's Consumer/Environmental Protection Unit. Note, however, that reports of officer misconduct should be reported to the Internal Affairs sections of the officer's department.
Crimes are charged by the District Attorney's Office on behalf of the People of the State of California, not on behalf of any particular victim. The decision to file charges in any criminal prosecution can only be made by an attorney in the District Attorney's Office. A victim's wishes will be considered, but the final determination whether or not charges will be filed or dismissed rests with the D.A.'s Office.
Contact your local law enforcement agency. They are responsible for the investigation of domestic violence cases. Our Domestic Violence Unit will review the investigation report and file any appropriate criminal charges.
The District Attorney's Office may be able to help you file for recovery of unreimbursed medical expenses and lost income. You should contact the District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance program at (805) 568-2400 in Santa Barbara and at (805) 346-7529 in Santa Maria. To obtain compensation for pain and suffering, you may need to contact a private attorney. If you do not have a private attorney, you can contact the Santa Barbara County Bar Association at (805) 569-5511 for a referral. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County at (805) 963-6754.
The District Attorney's Office can provide you with the next court date if we have filed charges against the defendant. To obtain this information, call (805) 568-2300 for assistance.
Call the Probation Department at (805) 882-3700 and ask for the probation officer assigned to your case. The officer can help you get your money if restitution was a condition of the defendant's probation.
The District Attorney's Consumer Fraud Unit may be able to help or they may refer you to an agency that can help you. The Consumer Fraud Unit also helps consumers who have been victims of false or misleading advertising and unlawful business practices.
No, but a private attorney may be able to help you. If you do not have a lawyer, you can contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Santa Barbara County at (805) 569-9400, which is operated by the Santa Barbara County Bar Association (805) 569-5511. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County at (805) 963-6754.
No, but a private attorney may be able to help you. If you do not have a lawyer, you can contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Santa Barbara County at (805) 569-9400, which is operated by the Santa Barbara County Bar Association (805) 569-5511. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County at (805) 963-6754.
No. Child support enforcement is done by the Department of Child Support Services. They have offices in Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria.
Whether a witness receives any witness fee is within the discretion of the court. A court can order that you receive witness fees (not to exceed $18 per day) plus reasonable and necessary expenses after testifying. If you have a conflict with the date on the subpoena, contact the Deputy District Attorney handling the case before the appearance date and discuss your conflict. The name and phone number of the attorney handling that case is on your subpoena.
To find out whether charges have been filed against you, telephone the D.A.'s Office located in the judicial district where the crime occurred. In Santa Barbara call (805) 568-2300. In Lompoc call (805) 737-7760. In Santa Maria call (805) 346-7540.
Mr. Savrnoch is the Santa Barbara County District Attorney and his name appears on most court documents in your case. Mr. Savrnoch's name also appears on most District Attorney's Office correspondence in your case just above the signature of the employee who wrote the letter. The person working on your case is most likely the person who actually signed the court document or letter. This is the person you should contact.
No. All attorneys are governed by a code of ethics which prevents them from speaking directly to anyone who has an attorney. As long as you are represented by an attorney, we may speak only to your attorney. Any questions that you have about your case should be answered by your attorney.
If you are a defendant in a case, and you have an attorney, he or she will obtain a copy of the police report from our discovery clerk. If you do not have an attorney and you have been charged with an offense, you can obtain a copy of the police report. You will be charged $10.00 for initial discovery and $.25 per page for supplemental and $10.00 when media and you must pay cash and appear in person at the District Attorney's Office with a picture identification.
Please contact the office for complaints against sworn personnel or non-sworn personnel.
No. If you want to file a Small Claims Court case, you can go to the Small Claims Court and obtain the necessary forms. In Santa Barbara it is located in the Courthouse, Superior Court Clerk's Office, 1100 Anacapa Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Barbara, California 93101 (805) 568-2770. In Lompoc: Superior Court, 115 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, California 93436-6967 (805) 737-7790. In Santa Maria: Superior Court-Cook Division, 312-C East Cook Street, Santa Maria, California 93456-5369 (805) 346-7414.
The name of the defendant, the charges and the next court date.
Our office sends a property release to the law enforcement agency that handled the case; the agency will then contact you once they receive a signed release from our office. Expect to wait at least two weeks or more. Please contact us if you haven't received your property in 21 days.
In most circumstances they will appear in court in 2 court days.
You can report it to the agency who took the report.
Go to the court clerk's office for documents or see a criminal defense attorney or the public defender.
Contact the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Please call Crime Stoppers of Santa Barbara at 1-877-800-9100.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov