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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FACT SHEET
FORENSICS FEE PROPOSAL
The governor's budget proposes to require local law enforcement agencies to pay fees for services such as analyzing DNA evidence, firearms comparison, blood and breath alcohol programs, controlled substance analyses, clandestine lab and homicide field investigations and limited trace evidence analyses . Forty-six of the state's 58 counties rely on the DOJ's 10 regional crime labs (Chico, Eureka, Freedom, Fresno, Redding, Ripon, Riverside, Sacramento, Santa Barbara and Santa Rosa) to process crime scene evidence and perform forensic services. In 2002, the labs processed 21,352 alcohol-related cases, 24,201 drug-related cases, 7,178 violent crime cases and 13,289 toxicology cases. The labs are averaging a "cold hit" a day in using DNA to solve old cases. The DOJ Central Valley Crime lab in Ripon is currently assisting in the investigation of the disappearance of Laci Peterson.
The current total annual budget to run all 10 labs is $27.8 million. The governor's proposal to require local agencies to pay fees for these services would result in an increase to local governments of more than $7.1 million starting in fiscal year 2004-5.
ELIMINATION OF THE SPOUSAL ABUSER PROSECUTION PROGRAM
The governor's budget proposes eliminating the Spousal Abuser Prosecution Program (SAPP), which provides $3 million in grant support to district attorneys' offices and victims' support programs throughout the state. Vertical prosecution provides investigative, victim support and prosecutorial services by a trained team of professionals. The program is crucial in addressing both offenders and victims of domestic violence in communities that otherwise would not have the resources to support these programs. In 2002, SAPP provided grants of $3 million to 47 city and county prosecutors for legal, investigatory and counseling services in the most difficult family violence cases. It has led to hundreds of successful prosecutions since 1994, when the Legislature mandated the program. It is supported by advocates for victims and women, as well as law enforcement.
ELIMINATION OF FUNDING FOR THE CALIFORNIA WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM
The governor proposes to eliminated the $3 million budget California Witness Protection Program (CWPP), which comes from the Restitution Fund.
CWPP provides funding for witness protection necessary to ensure successful convictions. It has successfuly assisted in the prosecution of more than 1,200 crimes and 2,850 serious and violent offenders in 42 of the state's 58 counties. More than 3,800 witnesses and family members have been relocated or otherwise protected. Witness protection is key in the prosecution of gang homicides and cuts in this program will have a severe and disproportionate impact on communities suffering a marked increase in gang homicide.
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