epcounty.com - District Attorney - Programs and Projects

District Attorney - 34th Judicial District

Programs & Projects
Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso
1100 East Cliff Drive, Building D
El Paso, Texas 79902
(915) 545-5400
The Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso is a facility where children that have suffered neglect or physical or sexual abuse can find a safe environment in which to get help and talk to law enforcement officials trained to protect them and advocate for their rights. This multi-agency approach allows for a collaborative and comprehensive effort to serve the child and reduce the trauma associated with the crime.
Southwest Border Prosecutors
District Attorney, Jaime Esparza chairs the Southwest Border Prosecutor's; a coalition of District Attorney's along the Southwest Border from Brownsville, Texas to San Diego, California. Together they communicated to Legislators in Washington D.C. that some of the nation's poorest counties were shouldering an increased financial burden by prosecuting federal drug cases. The partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement is successful and is an efficient way to expedite the lower level drug cases that originate at the International ports of entry and border checkpoints. To date, El Paso County has received more than $2,004,996.25 as reimbursement for the costs incurred in prosecuting these cases.
Amber Alert
Together with local law enforcement agencies the District Attorney's Office was instrumental in establishing the "Maria Alert" now refered to as the "Amber Alert" a mechanism that, when enacted, will alert all law enforcement agencies, local media outlets and the public at large about a missing and possible abduction of a child in the community.
HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas)
Court School
The District Attorney's Office has implemented Court School for young people whom may potentially appear in court as victims or witnesses. The Court School together with participating Judges in the El Paso County Courthouse seeks to orient these children and their immediate family members with the courtroom and educate them on courtroom logistics and the criminal justice process.
Drug Court
The District Attorney's Office participates in the Drug Court implemented by the 243rd District Court Judge, David Guaderama. The Court offers first-time; non-violent drug offenders the option of court supervised efforts to become drug-free and avoid criminal penalties.
V.I.N.E.
D.I.M.S. - (District Attorney Information Management System)
The D.I.M.S. program was implemented by District Attorney, Jaime Esparza to streamline the efficiency of the arrest and booking process. The program operates 24 hours a day allowing an Assistant District Attorney and law enforcement official to interface on a criminal case as it develops.
Child Fatality Review Team -
The El Paso Child Fatality Review Team is comprised of a group of dedicated professionals committed to reviewing every child death in El Paso County. The group reports their findings to the Texas Department of Heath - Bureau of Vital Statistics. (See statistics and warnings issued by the El Paso Child Fatality Review Team) (under construction)
Intake Division
All criminal cases presented by an arresting agency to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution are processed through the Intake Division. Cases are screened and reviewed by prosecutors to determine an appropriate criminal charge according to the laws of the State of Texas. Cases are reviewed based on their merits and filed or presented to a Grand Jury for possible indictment. The Intake Division also overseas the operation of the D.I.M.S. (District Attorney Information Management System) program.
Trial Team
There are 13 District Courts and 6 County Courts at Law in the El Paso County Courthouse that are designated to adjudicate Felony and Misdemeanor criminal cases. Prosecutors represent the State of Texas in all criminal matters and seek justice in every case. To check the status of a criminal case online, go to the El Paso County Criminal Case Search.
The Appellate Division
The Appellate Division of the District Attorney's Office handles all post-conviction challenges to convictions, including direct appeals to the Eighth Court of Appeals and to the Court of Criminal Appeals, as well as direct appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeals in death penalty cases, and post-conviction writs of habeas corpus. The appellate staff also serves as a resource to their fellow Assistant District Attorneys, advising them of current court rulings and legal issues pertinent to their cases.
Investigations
There are 15 Investigators assisting in the preparation of criminal cases. They collaborate with Prosecutors to coordinate evidence and witnesses to testify in all court proceedings.
Rape and Child Abuse Unit
The District Attorney's Rape and Child Abuse Unit specializes in cases involving sexual assault as well as cases involving the neglect or abuse of a child. If you think that a child is being abused call Child Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or in an emergency call 911. Remember, it is the law to report child abuse.
Domestic Violence Unit
The District Attorney's Office Domestic Violence Unit screens and evaluates all cases involving domestic violence. The Unit also works closely with local law enforcement officers and actively supports community outreach and awareness initiatives.