County of Santa Barbara District Attorney

Joyce E. Dudley

Santa Barbara County District Attorney

Joyce E. Dudley was elected District Attorney of Santa Barbara County in June 2010 and assumed office on June 22, 2010. District Attorney Dudley is dedicated to fulfilling the primary function of the District Attorney’s Office which is to seek justice for all.

District Attorney Dudley committed to the voters of Santa Barbara County to bring transparency, improved communication and innovation to the office of the District Attorney. In fulfillment of that vow, since taking office she has instituted a number of changes in the District Attorney’s Office.

In order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness and to improve the prosecution of crimes in Santa Barbara County, District Attorney Dudley reorganized the District Attorney’s Office, creating new units and restructuring existing units. Under her leadership the Gang Unit has adopted a comprehensive approach to gang violence that includes education and intervention in addition to prosecution. A new Financial Crimes Unit focuses on all financial and cyber crimes. The Vulnerable Victims Unit, which prosecutes domestic violence, sexual abuse, hate crimes, child abuse and elder abuse crimes, has been reinforced and expanded. Each unit is comprised of experienced prosecutors who are experts in handling the challenges unique to the prosecutions of the types of crimes for which the unit is responsible.

In light of the devastating effect that fires have had upon Santa Barbara County, one of District Attorney Dudley’s first priorities was the creation of an Arson Unit. She established that unit upon taking office, appointing two senior deputy district attorneys and one district attorney investigator to be available at all times to respond to, coordinate, and work with all fire agencies throughout the county in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for unlawful fires.

In addition to working closely with all public safety agencies, District Attorney Dudley is committed to working with all agencies as well as community organizations, countywide, to improve and coordinate efforts to increase efficiency in prevention, education, and prosecution of crime.

District Attorney Dudley began her legal career in the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in 1990. She has prosecuted well over one thousand cases including murder, arson, robbery, burglary, crimes involving sexual offenses, crimes against children and hate crimes. Involvement in community activities has been a priority for District Attorney Dudley during her career as a prosecutor. She has received numerous awards honoring her outstanding performance and volunteer activities from law enforcement agencies as well as community organizations.

Education

B.A. Psychology
M.A. in Education
with an emphasis in Administration.
M. Ed in Education with an emphasis in Child Development.
J.D.

Awards and Distinctions

The Citizens Council on Crime Guerry Award for Superior Performance. (2004)
Community Hero by Santa Barbara County Education Office and Cox Communications (2009 and 2010)
Woman of Inspiration by Girls Inc. (2009);
Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction (2006),
Soroptimist Woman of Inspiration/Human Rights (2004)
Alzheimer’s Association Celebrity Champion
‘Shining Star’ by the Rape Crisis Center (2002)
The University of California at Santa Barbara, Gervitz School of Education, awarded District Attorney Dudley Alumni of the Year for Outstanding Leadership in 2005, and in 2008 the Department of Psychology chose her as their Alumni to Spotlight