In 2016, Tori and her team created the first-ever San Joaquin County Family Justice Center (SJCFJC), a one-stop location for victims to receive trauma-informed services from local community-based organizations that assist victims. This includes a place to tell their stories to receive assistance with shelter, employment, clothing, food, financial support, and education opportunities. In addition, counselors work daily to assist with human trafficking, domestic violence, and child abuse victims, including providing onsite daycare services. Victims will also learn what will happen to their perpetrators in the criminal justice system.
Victims need a place to feel safe while not being burdened by red tape and bureaucracy. Those living in dangerous circumstances, especially women, children, and our elderly, must be ensured a speedy response. Tori will always prioritize the most vulnerable in our society and give them the opportunity to seek justice from their perpetrators.
Communities with organized criminal activity are disproportionately affected by theft, negative economic impact, vandalism, assault, gun violence, illegal drug trade, and homicide. As organized crime-related gun violence continues to be a leading cause of gun-related homicides, we must continue to remove those intent on causing harm from our streets while finding restorative opportunities for communities impacted by street violence.
Under Tori’s leadership, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office Violent Criminal Enterprise Unit, working with local law enforcement, builds successful cases against key criminal members and puts them behind bars every day. Most recently, an organized crime member was sentenced to fifteen years in state prison for attempted murder, along with a weapons charge. In addition, using the latest technology, Violent Criminal Enterprise Unit members, working with the Local Violence Suppression Unit, were able to gather evidence that at one time would have been impossible to obtain.
Organized crime impacts victims’ long-term health, family, peers, and the community. Youth caught up in organized crime are more likely to drop out of school, succumb to drug and alcohol addiction, or be incarcerated as adults. Tori will continue to work with community partners, faith-based organizations and prioritize her office’s resources to eliminate violence in our communities while finding better pathways for our youth.
Public corruption is a public official’s breach of civic confidence or abuse of power. While most public servants serve admirably, some politicians seek office for personal economic benefit. Tori’s administration created the Public Integrity Unit to protect San Joaquin County residents from those who seek to put self-interest before those they pledged to serve.
Since its inception, the Public Integrity Unit has convicted multiple elected officials of felony charges ranging from voter fraud to conflict of interest.
As District Attorney, Tori will continue to prosecute corrupt political officials who undermine the public trust in our democratic institutions. San Joaquin County residents need to have confidence in those that represent them. There are no special privileges for elected officials beyond the privilege of serving the public. Tori takes that commitment seriously.
As a prosecutor, combatting Human Trafficking has been Tori’s high priority. Under her administration, she implemented the first full-time team approach to fight human trafficking. The Office of the District Attorney has had success working with local law enforcement agencies, yet the job will never be complete until every predator is brought to justice.
Not only has Tori stepped up the war on Traffickers, her administration has also created wrap-around services for Human Trafficking Victims. For example, the Family Justice Center provides victims with the resources and the hope they need to heal from a life of sexual enslavement, forced labor, and crippling fear. Many of these victims have been trafficked since they were pre-teens, some sold by family members to pay off drug debts. These scars are deep, and she sees the pain in these victims’ eyes every day.