What California District Attorneys Are Doing

Although the failure of Mexico to extradite criminals who face either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is a national problem, it has perhaps its greatest impact on the State of California for two reasons: 1) California’s proximity to the Mexican border makes it relatively easy for fugitives to escape justice; and 2) California statutes mandate either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole upon conviction of specified crimes.

Elected District Attorneys throughout the State of California responded quickly with a call to action. On September 5, 2002, the California District Attorney’s Association, led by Imperial County District Attorney and CDAA President Gilbert Otero, sent a letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft, signed by all 58 elected District Attorneys in the State of California demanding action.

Santa Clara District Attorney James Fox testified in front of the Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform on October 1, 2003. Visit Santa Clara District Attorney Website and House Subcommittee Website.  In his remarks on Capitol Hill, Mr. Fox  urged the Department of State and Department of Justice to "continue to make every effort to have extradition laws and agreements changed to reflect ‘full faith and credit’ to the legal systems of other nations.”

Perhaps no one has fought longer or harder than Steve Cooley, Los Angeles County District Attorney. He has been at the forefront of this issue and the victims' fight for justice since taking office in December, 2000. Visit the L.A. County D.A.'s Office.

Through Steve Cooley's efforts, the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, California Legislature, National League of Cities, California League of Cities, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Latino Peace Officer’s Association, National Narcotics Officers’ Association Coalition, California District Attorney’s Association, and dozens of law enforcement, victims’ rights organizations, cities and municipalities, have taken action to draft letters and resolutions and to lobby for change on behalf of victims everywhere.

On August 15, 2004, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law, legislation written and championed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office which brings California in line with 44 other states who reserve the right to retry anyone prosecuted in a foreign jurisdiction for crimes committed on U.S. soil should they re-enter this country. (AB 1432)

California prosecutors are actively engaged in the pursuit of justice at all levels of government. Such efforts include:

• Extradition Efforts Timeline
• Congratulatory Letter from L.A. Dist. Atty. to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice Feb. 4, 2005
• Congratulatory Letter from L.A. Dist. Atty. to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Goanzales Feb. 8, 2005
• CDAA Endorsement Resolution - September 5, 2002 - PDF
• National Latino Peace Officers Association Speech by DA Cooley - November 15, 2002
• Letter to United States President George Bush - April 7, 2004 - PDF
• Letter to United States President George Bush - January 9, 2004 - PDF
• Reply to Daily News Article re: "Of Dogs and Cop Killers" - August 15, 2003 - PDF
• Letter to Mexican Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha - July 25, 2003 - PDF
• Letter to DA Steve Cooley from US Department of Justice Lori Sharpe Day - January 9, 2003 - PDF
• Letter to Mexican President Vicente Fox - September 6, 2002 - PDF
• Letter to DA Steve Cooley from US Department of Justice Lori Sharpe Day - June 21, 2002 - PDF
• Letter to US Attorney General Ashcroft - May 6, 2002 - PDF
• Letter to US Attorney General Ashcroft - March 7, 2002 - PDF
• Speech by Chairman Mark Souder - “Strengthening the Long Arm of the Law: How Are Fugitives Avoiding Extradition, and How Can We Bring Them to Justice?” October 2, 2003
• Speech by Congressman Nathan Deal- “Strengthening the Long Arm of the Law: How Are Fugitives Avoiding Extradition, and How Can We Bring Them to Justice?” October 2, 2003
• Testimony of Honorable James P. Fox District Attorney San Mateo County, California

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