CHRISTIE STANLEY
Santa Barbara County District Attorney

In June 2006 I was elected Santa Barbara County District Attorney with 69.8% of the vote. I was sworn into office on January 9, 2007. The District Attorney’s office has 148 employees including 52 prosecuting attorneys, 24 investigators, who are sworn peace officers, as well as victim advocates and support staff. We have offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. My operations include the Truancy Program, the Welfare Fraud Unit, the Victim Witness Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit, the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit, and the Consumer / Environmental Unit.

I graduated from Ventura College of Law Magna Cum Laude, first in my class, while married and caring for two young daughters and commuting from Lompoc for four years. A summer internship with the District Attorney’s office and memories of my favorite Uncle’s murder by a young fugitive lead me to a career as a prosecutor.

Most profound of all was the trip, with my family, to Kansas for my uncle’s funeral. While we were there his murderer was caught and brought through the small town square where armed town’s people waited intent on vengeance. The officers who had him in custody, friends and colleagues of my Uncle, brought the killer in safely so he could be prosecuted.

I was and am consistently impressed by law enforcement professionals who do the right thing, even when it is the hard thing to do.

As your public prosecutor, the people’s lawyer, I am a servant of the law and justice, the twofold aim of which is that guilt shall not escape or innocence suffer.

Law Enforcement Since 1980

After two years practicing civil law I joined the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office in 1980. Soon I was assigned to supervise the Lompoc District Attorney’s office. Since then I have prosecuted hundreds of cases including murders, rapes and arson. I have a nearly perfect conviction record.

For instance, I prosecuted two Crips gang members who came from Los Angeles to Lompoc. In the late 1980s they were charged with attempted murder when they tried to kill a Lompoc police officer as he responded to their call for help and ambush. The shooter is still serving a life sentence.

Many of the murder cases I have prosecuted have been domestic violence related cases. Most recently I prosecuted a triple murder capital case in which the defendant is now spending three consecutive life sentences, two without the possibility of parole. I am dedicated to the efforts to fight domestic violence.

Record, Recognitions and Involvements

In 1984 I was recognized as “Deputy District Attorney of the Year”.

I served as Assistant District Attorney for the north county more than 15 years. In that role I was responsible for the day-to-day operations of all of the District Attorney’s office’s business north of the Gaviota Pass.

I have been an associate member of the Santa Barbara County Law Enforcement Chiefs since 1991.

I take very seriously the role of the District Attorney in the education and training of all law enforcement. I have an outstanding relationship with the County Chiefs, their staff and officers. I have routine contact and interaction with judicial officers, state prosecutors, county staff and of course the public.

I was an original Core Committee Member for the creation and operation of the Substance Abuse Treatment Court (also known as Drug Court). I was a team member of the origination committee for the planning and development of the Juvenile Drug Court. I have been a member of the working group for the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council Action Plan Update Committee. I regularly attend the quarterly Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council meetings.

I have trained volunteers for the Lompoc Rape Crisis Center. I am a supporter of many local charitable and community based organizations, in particular those benefiting our youth.

Conclusion

I understand the importance of knowing how to prosecute a case and that the District Attorney must be involved in pro-active preventative measures such as the Truancy Program. As the chief law enforcement official in the county, the District Attorney has an obligation to protect, inform and educate.

Santa Barbara County is beautiful and must be maintained as a safe place to live. With you, my husband and I as well as our children and grandchildren live here. You and we should be secure, free from crime and with the confidence that our environment is protected as well.

My experience has taught me the hard decisions the District Attorney must make. I will judiciously make those decisions on your behalf.

In the cases that I have prosecuted I, have had the opportunity to get to know and help many crime victims. I have not lost sight of crime’s human cost.