Justice Matters Podcast

It’s time this week to talk about County Government Matters. Assistant County Attorney Erica Rosales makes an appearance as a co-host (remember her from Legisltiave Advocacy Matters?). County Judge Ricrado explains his role in county government and talks us through some of the greatest challenges he as faced such addressingthe COVID Pandemic and responding to the Wal-Mart tragedy; and about self-care in his role. And then Betsy Keller, Chief Administrator, weighs in to explain her leadership role in the County and how she interacts with both the DA’s and CA’s Offices. Also get a glimpse at what her time living in Alaska – yes Alaska! – was like.

Chief of the DA’s Office’s White Collar Unit, Erin Delaney, joins Aaron to talk about how we hold financial criminal offenders accountable and work to help victims of these crimes. Cheri Railey-Shapleigh, Principal ADA in the White Collar Unit, describes the financial toll white collar crime takes. ACA Chris Sullivan, Division Chief of the Criminal Unit, prosecutes crimes like wage theft and deceptive business practices; he describes how this can make victims feel gas-lighted and question their own judgment. And also look for discussion along the way about Beaumont humidity, the World Cup, BTS, and the famous 1966 El Paso UTEP national championship basketball victory.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and so in this episode we return to this important topic. Sandra Nevarez Garcia, Executive Director at the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, joins as this week’s co-host. Guest and ADA Jessica Villava explains her new role as the Domestic Violence Unit Chief, offers an update on the DA’s 24-Hour Contact Program and talks about her 1-3- and 5-year plans for the work. She also schools Aaron on what a Cricket Craft Machine is - iykyk. Mary Perez, Victim Specialist at the County Attorney’s Office, discusses her role in documenting applicants’ allegations who seek protective orders to provide summaries to the Protective Order Unit’s Screening Attorney. Doing this emotionally challenging work takes a toll, but ziplining in Costa Rica amongst other travels (ironically) helps her stay grounded.

Here’s the Season 3 Premiere of Justice Matters! It’s been a minute since last season, so this is your chance to catch up with the elected 34th Judicial District Attorney James Montoya and El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez. Have they met the goals they set for themselves in that first episode from Season 1? Join Aaron and guest-host and current KVIA Morning Show anchor Rosemary Garcia to hear more about how both of these powerhouses have settled into their positions.

In this Season Finale, guest co-host Sandra Garcia, the ED of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence and Aaron bring you four of the most important components of response to domestic violence in our community – the DA, the CA, the Sheriff and an EPPD Asst. Chief. Last fall, they came together in a panel at the 3rd Annual Family Justice and Wellness Conference. Hear about challenges and opportunities related to holding offenders accountable and helping victims get safe. And listen in for who likes hiking, ATV’ing, and dancing in their off-time wellness.

How does our community address challenges in the criminal and civil justice system related to people with mental health challenges? This week hear from ADA Dana Carmona about innovative programs aimed at diverting defendants experiencing crises to mental health services rather than the jail system. And learn from ACA Jed Untereker about how civil commitments can also be an important, yet imperfect, tool for positive interventions.

As law offices, both the District and County Attorney’s Offices rely on technology to function. From creating digital processes and procedures to completing special data projects to basically making the lawyers look good in court, tech really does matter. This week, hear how Functional analysts Mia Donzello (from the DA’s Office) and Desmond Galvan (from the CA’s Office) make the tech sausage.

What’s a writ of habeaus corpus? How does precedent affect the law? What’s it like to argue in fromt of the Texas Supreme Court? Heck what’s an appeal? ACA Kevin McCary and ADA Lily Stroud answer all your appeals questions this week. Ok, most of them. Many of them. And listen in for discussions on cave diving, Stranger Things, attorneys in Hawaiian shirts. You thought we only talk about the law on this pod?

Did you know that El Paso County works on state legislation in Austin? Frankly it’s a no-brainer that decisions made in Austin affect our area and we deserve to be heard when it comes to changes to the statutes that affect all of our lives. Hear from Assistant County Attorney Erica Rosales about how she helps shape policy both locally and at the state capitol. Then hear El Paso County’s Government Affairs Manager, Elisa Tamayo, describe her work.

This week, we turn to some of the most difficult and important cases: prosecution of murders. ADA Talisa Gutierrez tells us about her own humble beginnings and expresses her motivation for helping victims’ families get justice. And ACA Amanda Frizelle explains the ins and outs of juvenile prosecution when a minor is the perpetrator.

It’s time to talk about the border. As fronterizos, we love and appreciate our position as a welcoming and consequential place in our region, in Texas and in the country. Listen to how ADA Kyle Lasley leads the Border Prosecution Unit in helping to keep El Paso one of the safest cities in the US. Then ACA Bernardo Cruz unpacks what it means to practice “affirmative litigaiton” on the border.

Our much anticipated and long-awaited episode on children! Join us hearing how the County Attorney’s Office takes on child abuse by representing Child Protective Services from CPS Division Chief ACA Robynne Bramblett. And then hear about ADA Trial Team Chief Samantha Nelson’s unique and deep commitment to holding abusers accountable for hurting children. And, oh, yeah the return of the dreaded quizzes!

After a year in office as the elected District Attorney James Montoya and County Attorney Christina Sanchez, we check in on how the work is going. And our little podcast is a year old, too! Have they met their goals? How has the job changed them? Spoiler alert: one of them -- you guess who -- called it everything he could have hoped for and more. Join us for this premiere episode and for a couple laughs along the way!

What is a “First Assistant”? Hear from a couple of the best ones about their longevity in the County, the key work they do, a little about tennis and the art of flying under the radar.

How do the cases come to the District and County Attorney’s Offices? Intake! From ACA Patricia Lopez hear about her work in reviewing contracts for the county and offering legal opinions. Then from ADA Jennifer Vandenbosch, listen how the DA’s Office receives its criminal cases from law enforcement and decides whether to take on the cases for prosecution. And tune in for a switcheroo on the format.

How do you make two of the largest legal offices in El Paso County run smoothly? Turns out the best approach is to hire great administrative support. Listen in on how Lori Lopez and Amy Lechuga keep the wheels of justice moving for the District and County Attorney’s Offices.

Did you know that both District and County Attorney’s Office employ law enforcement officers as investigators? This week, take a listen for more about the functions of investigators in our offices.

Stephanie and Aaron are off this week, so in recognition of our nations 249th birthday, we decided to re-release Transitions Matter: James Montoya and Christina Sanchez. Here how two of El Paso’s most influential public servants are tackling their new roles.

What’s the recipe for a safe community? Having been ranked amongst the safest cities in the nation for decades, El Paso in large part has figured it out. But we can do better. Listen in this week to how the DA’s and CA’s Offices take on crimes like intoxication offenses, human trafficking and illegal activates at businesses using innovative practices.

Both Amy Monsivais and Ana Schumacher help in their own purview to safeguard transparency and integrity in local government. Assistant DA Amy tackles the challenging arena of Public Integrity including investigations of elected official and law enforcement; Assistant CA Ana advises the Commissioner’s Court and helps accomplish election integrity. Listen to learn more!