MADD honors 11 OCDA attorneys for doing a great job of busting drunk drivers

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2014

MADD HONORS 11 OCDA ATTORNEYS FOR EXCEPTIONAL PROSECUTION OF DRUNKEN DRIVING CASES

SANTA ANA – The Orange County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored 11 Orange County deputy district attorneys today for their time and effort in prosecuting driving under the influence (DUI) cases in 2013. MADD hosted the 27th Annual Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Luncheon today, March 13, 2014, to honor Orange County prosecutors and police officers for their outstanding contributions to the prosecution of DUI cases. The luncheon was held at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda.

At the luncheon, 10 Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) prosecutors and one former OCDA prosecutor received the 2014 Diligent Prosecutor Award to recognize their support to victims and their families and diligent efforts in criminal prosecution of DUI defendants. Each was nominated by their OCDA supervisor or a MADD victim advocate. The recipients were verbally recognized and received a plaque at the luncheon.

Defendants of the cases prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Troy Pino, Tony Ferrentino, former Deputy District Attorney Shireen Sachdev, and Deputy District Attorneys Ed Grubaugh, Jeff Kirk, Anna McIntyre, Gautam Sood, Juliet Oliver, Courtney Thom, Amy Swanson, and William Sparks, faced charges ranging from misdemeanor driving under the influence to felony murder. The efforts of the prosecution resulted in the defendants’ convictions with sentences as high as 30 years to life in state prison.

MADD is a nationwide, non-profit organization that works to stop drunken driving, support victims, survivors, and families affected by drunken driving, and prevent underage drinking. The Orange County Chapter of MADD was formed in 1981 and offers services and education to the local community, including youth programs, victim services, and special events. MADD works closely with Orange County law enforcement agencies to support the prosecution and apprehension of those who put the public at risk by driving under the influence of alcohol.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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