In a determined effort to combat domestic violence in Napa County, District Attorney Allison Haley recently announced that her office has been selected to receive a Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Grant from the California Office of Emergency Services. This grant will allow the Napa County District Attorney's Office to fund and support its endeavors in prosecuting cases of domestic violence, with a budget of $172,545 for attorney costs and $30,000 for a Victim Advocate according to a tweet from the District Attorney's Office.
With #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth around the corner, the Napa County District Attorney's Office has some exciting news to share! pic.twitter.com/CcYF5tSjf5
— Napa County District Attorney's Office (@NapaCountyDA) September 27, 2023
The Vertical Prosecution Model calls for a Deputy District Attorney and Victim Witness Advocate to be involved throughout the life of a case – from start to finish. This comprehensive approach benefits both the victims of crime and the District Attorney's Office, by fostering trust, reducing victim trauma, improving access to justice, and enabling more consistent and appropriate sentencing. In her statement, Allison Haley emphasized the importance of this approach, stating, "Oftentimes, the repercussions of domestic violence are far-reaching and can include physical, psychological, and economic repercussions."
Properly equipped with a dedicated Victim Advocate and Deputy District Attorney, the Napa County District Attorney's Office aims to exhaust every avenue possible to seek justice in domestic violence cases. Allison Haley reaffirmed this commitment, mentioning, "Having a DA and Victim Advocate involved from the moment charges are filed, and quite frankly oftentimes before, to the moment when the final appeal is exhausted is a priority for this office."
As reported yesterday, the grant will take effect starting January 2024. It is expected that this much-needed funding will have a profound impact on the way domestic violence cases are handled, and may contribute to a shift in discourse and perceptions around this issue.
For any questions regarding this grant or the Napa County District Attorney's Office efforts, one may contact Public Affairs and Media Officer Carlos Villatoro at (707) 299-1409 per their official announcement.
