Justice Matters Podcast

In this Season Finale, guest co-host Sandra Garcia, the ED of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence and Aaron bring you four of the most important components of response to domestic violence in our community – the DA, the CA, the Sheriff and an EPPD Asst. Chief. Last fall, they came together in a panel at the 3rd Annual Family Justice and Wellness Conference. Hear about challenges and opportunities related to holding offenders accountable and helping victims get safe. And listen in for who likes hiking, ATV’ing, and dancing in their off-time wellness.

As law offices, both the District and County Attorney’s Offices rely on technology to function. From creating digital processes and procedures to completing special data projects to basically making the lawyers look good in court, tech really does matter. This week, hear how Functional analysts Mia Donzello (from the DA’s Office) and Desmond Galvan (from the CA’s Office) make the tech sausage.

Did you know that El Paso County works on state legislation in Austin? Frankly it’s a no-brainer that decisions made in Austin affect our area and we deserve to be heard when it comes to changes to the statutes that affect all of our lives. Hear from Assistant County Attorney Erica Rosales about how she helps shape policy both locally and at the state capitol. Then hear El Paso County’s Government Affairs Manager, Elisa Tamayo, describe her work.

It’s time to talk about the border. As fronterizos, we love and appreciate our position as a welcoming and consequential place in our region, in Texas and in the country. Listen to how ADA Kyle Lasley leads the Border Prosecution Unit in helping to keep El Paso one of the safest cities in the US. Then ACA Bernardo Cruz unpacks what it means to practice “affirmative litigaiton” on the border.

After a year in office as the elected District Attorney James Montoya and County Attorney Christina Sanchez, we check in on how the work is going. And our little podcast is a year old, too! Have they met their goals? How has the job changed them? Spoiler alert: one of them -- you guess who -- called it everything he could have hoped for and more. Join us for this premiere episode and for a couple laughs along the way!

How do the cases come to the District and County Attorney’s Offices? Intake! From ACA Patricia Lopez hear about her work in reviewing contracts for the county and offering legal opinions. Then from ADA Jennifer Vandenbosch, listen how the DA’s Office receives its criminal cases from law enforcement and decides whether to take on the cases for prosecution. And tune in for a switcheroo on the format.

Did you know that both District and County Attorney’s Office employ law enforcement officers as investigators? This week, take a listen for more about the functions of investigators in our offices.

What’s the recipe for a safe community? Having been ranked amongst the safest cities in the nation for decades, El Paso in large part has figured it out. But we can do better. Listen in this week to how the DA’s and CA’s Offices take on crimes like intoxication offenses, human trafficking and illegal activates at businesses using innovative practices.

Did you know that if you are a victim of crime, there are professionals at the DA’s and CA’s Offices ready to help you through the criminal justice process? Victims don’t ask to be involved in this oftentimes confusing and scary process, but we are here to help. Take a listen and learn about the victim-centered and trauma-informed care that our offices’ victim advocates offer.

Let’s talk about the new Justice Matters Podcast. This project stems from a shared interest in transparency by both the elected District Attorney James Montoya and the County Attorney Christina Sanchez, both of whom are newly elected. Justice does matter and so this podcast will tell you more about how both offices function and help listeners get a sense of the different work the DA’s and CA’s Offices do.