PLACER COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

The Placer County District Attorney's Office Domestic Violence team is part of the Family Protection Unit. This team specializes on prosecuting cases involving various forms of abuse, stalking, and restraining order violations between spouses, dating partners, cohabitants, or co-parents. This dedicated team of Deputy District Attorneys works to hold abusers accountable, find victims justice, help survivors reclaim their voice and find legal options to help keep them safe moving forward.

The Deputy District Attorneys in this unit work closely with the District Attorney's Office's victim advocates to walk with victims every step of the way during the legal process.

California domestic violence laws make it a criminal offense to harm (or threaten to harm) a current or former spouse, cohabitant, co-parent, dating or intimate partner. In some cases, the list of protected persons includes parents, children, and relatives.

In addition to punishment by a jail or prison sentence, the consequences of a California domestic violence conviction can include:

• May result in jail or prison time,
• Mandatory participation in a “batterer’s intervention program” (domestic violence classes),
• Community service,
• Payment of fines and/or victim restitution,
• A restraining order (also known as a protective order),
• Loss of California gun rights,
• A criminal record, and
• Immigration consequences for non-citizens, such as deportation or inadmissibility to the United States.

• In the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime
• On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive over 20,000 calls.
• 1 in 10 high school students has experienced physical violence from a dating partner.

 Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Seeking justice can help break the cycle of abuse. 

For anyone experiencing domestic violence in any form, know that our county has a wealth of resources that can help. Our partner, Stand Up Placer has a 24-hour helpline at 800-575-5352 and has more information at standupplacer.org.

In conjunction with local local law enforcement agencies, the Placer County SART program is also able to perform strangulation exams. Strangulation is considered one of the most dangerous forms of domestic violence.

MDIC (Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center) is a child-focused, friendly place where children of all ages talk with a Child Forensic Interview Specialist about child-related abuse. MDIC will also interview minors who experience teen dating violence, child abuse and more. Learn more

•  Roseville man sentenced to 13 years for domestic violence
• Roseville man sentenced to 25 years to life for murdering his wife 
• Justine Vanderschoot: a local story of teen dating violence 

• Learn the red flags of abusive behavior
• LoveisRespect.org
• CDC: Fast facts for partner violence
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Hotline.org: DV statistics
• National Domestic Violence Hotline 
• Social solutions: 20 alarming DV statistics

 Strangulation is one of the least talked about threats seen in society. While the act often goes unreported or untreated, it is the most lethal form of domestic violence short of homicide. This is why the Placer County District Attorney's Office created the Stangulation Awareness Resource Portal (SARP) to start the conversation in Placer County in the hopes of increased education and policy improvements at a local and state level.  

According to the Training Institute on Strangulation: 

• A woman who has suffered a non-fatal strangulation incident with their intimate partner is 750% more likely to be killed by the same perpetrator…with a gun.
• Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and sexual violence; unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes.
• Strangulation is an ultimate form of power and control as the batterer demonstrates their command over the victim’s next breath.

According to the Training Institute on Strangulation:

Strangulation is external pressure applied to the neck, by any means, that obstructs blood flow and/ or airflow resulting in asphyxia. Strangulation is intentional external force applied to the victim’s neck with the perpetrator’s hands, arms, legs, pillow, or a ligature. 

• Traumatic brain injury
• Psychological injury 
• PTSD
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Memory problems
• Amnesia
• Delayed death

• In conjunction with local local law enforcement agencies, the Placer County SART program is also able to perform strangulation exams.
• Continued education programs for law enforcement and local stakeholders. 
• Pushing for policies that allows the county to affectively address the issue.
• Depending upon case factors, the Placer County District Attorney's Office may file felony domestic violence charges for strangulation.

• Local teenager and beloved community member Justine Vanderschoot was strangled by Daniel Bezemer before he took her life. 
• Gabby Petito, the case that gripped the nation in 2021, was killed by strangulation.

The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention was created as a result of the tragic deaths of two San Diego teenagers who died as a result of domestic violence.

Both teenagers reported being “choked” before they were murdered but neither case was prosecuted due to the lack of physical evidence and victim participation. The deaths caused the San Diego City Attorney’s Office to re-evaluate their handling of “choking” cases and conduct a study of 300 cases involving pressure to the neck and/or difficulty breathing. 

The findings of the San Diego Study were ultimately published in six articles in the Journal of Emergency Medicine in 2001. Learn more 

• Family Justice Center
• Strangulation Media Kit
• OCDA Domestic Violence Fatality Review
• Montana Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission
• National Library of Medicine study on strangulation

•  The Guardian: Gabby Petito died of strangulation. Far too many other women have, too
• The Advocate: Her boyfriend strangled her in front of her kids. Police are on alert for stories like hers.
• KATU News: Man released on bail, then accused in killing of woman by strangulation
• Daily Mail: Man who throttled a woman after meeting on Tinder becomes the first to be jailed under non-fatal strangulation law
• Fox 5: Man arrested in Riverdale woman's strangulation death
• WFMJ News: Mercer County man convicted of strangulation death of wife 

•  New CA law to provide free forensic examinations for domestic violence victims