Alameda County District Attorney (DA) Pamela Price held a press conference in Oakland, California, to address recent criticisms regarding charging decisions in criminal cases, particularly in light of the in-custody death of Mario Gonzalez and the subsequent charges against three Alameda police officers.

Context and Criticism

Recently, DA Pamela Price has faced criticism from various quarters, including supporters of an effort to remove her from office, as well as Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez. The criticism stems from the handling of cases such as the alleged knife attack by Robert Barroca in a Hayward park, where the DA’s office declined to file charges despite Barroca’s status as a convicted felon on probation at the time.

Price emphasized that charging decisions involve collaboration between prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. In cases like Barroca’s, where a local charge may not result in significant sentencing advantages, prosecutors may opt for federal charges or charges in another jurisdiction, ensuring that the suspect faces appropriate consequences.

Statistics and Charging Data

Providing insights into the charging process, Price revealed that in 2024, her office rejected 265 out of 535 cases forwarded by the Sheriff’s Office for charges. Among the rejections, 83 were due to a lack of sentencing advantage, while others were due to insufficient evidence or collaboration. Notably, only 30 of the rejected cases were alleged felonies, with the majority being misdemeanor crimes.

Collaboration and Review

In response to the criticism and to foster better collaboration, Price expressed her willingness to meet with Sheriff Sanchez to review the charging data. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the flow of information between law enforcement agencies and the DA’s office, ensuring more informed charging decisions.

Rejection of Calls for Termination

Addressing calls from the group Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE) to fire Desmond Jeffries, director of recruitment and retention in her office, Price stood firm, rejecting the demands. SAFE alleged that Jeffries engaged in inappropriate behavior during a rally, including derogatory remarks towards participants.

Price emphasized the importance of respecting individuals’ First Amendment rights and stated that termination based on such grounds would not align with her principles.

Conclusion: Upholding Integrity and Collaboration

In the midst of criticism and calls for action, Alameda County DA Pamela Price stands firm on her commitment to integrity in the charging process. Through collaboration with law enforcement agencies and a commitment to upholding constitutional rights, Price aims to ensure that justice is served effectively and fairly in Alameda County.

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