Off the Record

Sacramento County District Attorney's Office

Learn about public safety issues, interesting and notable cases, and how our office is working both in the courtroom and in the community to provide the highest level of public safety through prosecution, prevention and innovation.

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Top 10 Off the Record Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Off the Record episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Off the Record for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Off the Record episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family & MADD Candlelight Vigil – Justice Journal Episode 61

Off the Record

01/01/25 • 40 min

Video available on https://youtu.be/OMcB7b9J7M4

Description: Discussion with parents who lost their young daughter to a repeat DUI offender and her sister, who is now a MADD victim advocate. The family shares how their loss has impacted their lives and how MADD has helped them through the years.

Show Notes: Larry and Kathy Harris talk about their 12-year-old daughter, Irene, who was killed by a repeat DUI offender in 1981. They recount the day Irene was killed, the circumstances of what happened, how they found out and how the loss of Irene forever changed their family and lives. They also talk about the court process in 1981 and how they had no voice or rights at that time. Irene’s older sister, Rhonda Campbell, shares her experience with losing Irene and how she witnessed her parents having no power within the criminal justice system.

Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin outlines the different DUI/DUID charges and potential sentences to highlight how the laws and criminal justice have changed since Irene was killed. The laws and penalties are much harsher, with the possibility of filing murder charges as the DA’s Office has successfully done in many DUI/DUID cases.

Rhonda talks about how her personal experience losing her sister to a DUI offender led her to become a MADD victim advocate. She explains what her role entails, different programs and services MADD offers and how she works with the DA’s Office on prevention efforts. She also shares information about MADD’s annual candlelight vigil and how people can get involved.

Courtney speaks to the different prevention programs the DA’s Office hosts and participates in with partner law enforcement agencies, the Public Defender’s Office, Probation Department, the court and community organizations, including Arrive Alive, CA and MADD.

The emphasis for both MADD’s and DA’s Office prevention efforts is on high school students and teen drivers.

The episode ends with Larry, Kathy and Rhonda asking listeners not to let another family go through what their family has endured and not to drive while impaired and help others not to make that dangerous decision. They encourage people to take a ride-share, taxi or have a sober driver.

RESOURCES:

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/

https://www.sacda.org/victim-services/

https://www.ots.ca.gov/

https://madd.org/sacramento/

https://www.arrivealiveca.com/

Click with Caution: Keeping Kids Safe from Online Exploitation (Part One)

Off the Record

02/25/25 • 8 min

Show Notes

In this powerful two-part special, Deputy DA Catrina Ranum spoke with ICAC detectives and prosecutors on Safer Internet Day to shed light on the dark reality of online predators. This discussion reveals the critical work being done to protect children from internet crimes and the dangers lurking in digital spaces. Viewer discretion is advised.

Part One: Covers the case background, including how these investigations start and the strategies law enforcement uses to track down online predators.
Part Two: Features an in-depth conversation with an officer and prosecutor, giving firsthand insight into the dangers they encounter and the justice they seek for victims.

Episode Highlights

Inside ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Investigations – A behind-the-scenes look at how law enforcement officers and prosecutors identify and arrest online predators.
Real Conversations, Real Dangers – A preview of actual online chats between undercover agents and predators, revealing the disturbing grooming tactics used.
Protecting Our Children – How parents, guardians, and educators can recognize warning signs and take action to keep kids safe in the digital world.

Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family Member, MADD Advocate- Justice Journal Episode 53

Off the Record

12/14/22 • 38 min

Description: A personal story of losing a loved one to a DUI offender decades ago, the lasting impacts of that loss, how the case was handled at that time, the progress made with current DUI cases, what more can be done and how MADD and the DA’s Office is working to help victims and prevent more DUI tragedies.

Show Notes: Guests Rhonda Campbell and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves and their current roles related to DUI cases, victim advocacy and prevention efforts.

Rhonda begins the discussion by sharing her personal story – starting with what her family was like 40 years ago, who her sister Irene was, what she was like and what Rhonda remembers most about Irene. She then talks through the day 12-year-old Irene was killed by a four-time repeat DUI offender. Rhonda shares how the crash happened, what happened to Irene, how her parents were told and ultimately how her parents had to tell Rhonda that her little sister was gone.

Rhonda explains what happened in the criminal case against the DUI offender and how the offender’s rights were put ahead of the rights of Rhonda’s family. Deputy DA Greg Hayes then explains current DUI laws and what charges/sentences the offender in Irene’s case could have faced under current DUI laws. He also explains the progress made with victim advocacy and victims’ rights.

Rhonda talks about the lasting impact Irene’s death has had on her, her family and the entire community – even four decades later. Her way of honoring Irene’s memory is to dedicate her life to preventing other families from experiencing the same tragedy

DDA Hayes and Rhonda close the discussion by sharing information about the many DUI prevention efforts being made by the DA’s Office and MADD, including a number of programs for high school students as well as programs for adults.

Irene Ruth Harris

RESOURCES:

https://madd.org/

https://www.arrivealiveca.com/

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/

Special COVID-19 Series: Child Abuse Victim Assistance During Stay at Home Order –Justice Journal Episode 35

Off the Record

04/23/20 • 37 min

Title: Special COVID-19 Series: Child Abuse Victim Assistance During Stay at Home Order –Justice Journal Episode 35

Description: DA Anne Marie Schubert, Sacramento County Office of Education Superintendent Dave Gordon, The Child Abuse Prevention Center President & CEO Sheila Boxley, Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services Director Michelle Callejas, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Detective Christie Hirota, and Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Dawn Bladet discuss how child abuse victims can still get help and services during this time.

Show Notes: Dave, Michelle, Sheila and Christie give brief overviews of how their organizations support children and protect and assist victims of child abuse.

Dave talks about how educators and school districts are adjusting to how they engage with students and their ability to identify and report suspected abuse during this time of unprecedented school closures.

Michelle and Sheila then explain how their organizations are still working remotely, or adhering to the social distance public health safety precautions, to engage and protect children. They each discuss different ways they are working - whether by text, chat, social media messaging or traditional hotlines/phone calls.

Christie shares how children and their parents can protect themselves from online predators and threats. She also talks about challenges and solutions to children being at home on their devices and online more than ever with distance learning.

Dawn explains how child abuse cases and the court process is different during the public health order, but that the justice system continues to work and DA victim advocates are still providing support services. They also discuss changes to bail to lessen the jail population.

The group closes by discussing how the community can help prevent and protect victims of child abuse by reaching out to family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to check on them. If they hear, see and suspect something is not right and a child might be in an abusive situation – to report it.

To listen to the Domestic Violence Resources During the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order Zoom Podcast, visit https://www.sacda.org/media/podcast

For alerts on price gouging and looting during a state of emergency as well as the public health order, visit our website at sacda.org. For the latest COVID-19 information and status updates visit Sacramento County’s website at saccounty.net.

DOWNLOAD & SHARE CHILD ABUSE RESOURCE SHEET

Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight on Prevention Partners- Justice Journal Episode 55

Off the Record

06/14/23 • 42 min

Description: Discussion with two longtime DUI/DUID prevention partner organizations Arrive Alive, CA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving about prevention programs, focusing on the Real DUI Court in Schools program, the importance of reaching children early and the importance of partnerships.

Show Notes: Guests Arrive Alive CA CEO Angela Webb, MADD Victim Services Specialist Rhonda Campbell and Lead Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Gregory Hayes introduce themselves.

Hayes explains his current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Hayes states current DUI penal codes. Hayes, Webb and Campbell talk about the scope of the DUI/DUID problem with local and national stats.

Webb and Campbell talk about the importance of reaching kids early – elementary and middle school – to shape their ideas and provide accurate information about DUI/DUID. They explain high school is when they act on their ideas/beliefs. Webb explains the Real DUI Court in Schools program and gives stats on the number of students reached since the start of the program. Hayes and Campbell talk about their involvement in the program. Webb, Campbell and Hayes share the feedback they have received about Real DUI Court in Schools and why they believe the program is so effective among students.

Campbell talks about other MADD programs, how they work and why they are effective.

Webb and Campbell talk about the challenges, changes and successes they have experienced over their time working in prevention. They give insight into the importance of partnerships and who they work with to get the message across to different audiences. They also share what keeps them motivated and energized to continue their work.

Hayes, Campbell and Webb close the discussion by giving advice, resources and key takeaways.

RESOURCES:

https://madd.org/

https://www.arrivealiveca.com/

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/

Special COVID-19 Series: Domestic Violence Victim Assistance During Stay at Home Order –Justice Journal Episode 34

Off the Record

04/17/20 • 27 min

Title: Special COVID-19 Series: Domestic Violence Victim Assistance During Stay at Home Order –Justice Journal Episode 34

Description: DA Anne Marie Schubert, Chief Daniel Hahn, E.D. of WEAVE Beth Hassett, E.D. of My Sister’s House Nilda Valmores, Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center CEO Faith Whitmore, Assistant Chief Deputy DA Dawn Bladet and DA Supervising Victim Advocate Lisa Corral discuss how DV victims can still get help and services during this time.

Show Notes: Beth, Nilda and Faith give brief overviews of how WEAVE, My Sister’s House and the Family Justice Center help victims of domestic violence.

Chief Hahn, Beth, Nilda, Dawn and Lisa then all discuss how their organizations are still working to protect and assist domestic violence while working remotely or adhering to the social distance public health safety precautions. They each discuss different ways they are working, whether by text, chat or traditional phone calls.

Dawn and Lisa explain how DV cases and the court process is different during the public health order, but that the justice system continues to work and DA victim advocates are still providing support services. They also discuss changes to bail to lessen the jail population.

The group closes by discussing how the community can help prevent and protect victims of domestic violence by reaching out to family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to check on them. If they hear, see and suspect something is not right and someone might be in an abusive situation – to report it.

DOWNLOAD & SHARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE SHEET

Driving Under the Influence: Spotlight: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)- Justice Journal Episode 56

Off the Record

09/13/23 • 28 min

Description: Discussion with longtime driving under the influence (DUI) prevention partner the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) about how the organization works to protect the safety of all those on our highways and roads as well as pedestrians.

Show Notes: Guest Deputy Director of Marketing & Public Affairs Tim Weisberg from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves – their backgrounds and current roles.

Weisberg describes his past professional background and his current role managing all OTS marketing, media campaigns and outreach programs.

Hayes explains his past professional background and current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Weisberg provides background on OTS – its mission, history and how it’s working to keep people safe on our roads and highways. He also details what types of organizations OTS most often partners with and how they support them. One of the ways OTS supports organizations is through grants.

Host, Shelly Orio, discusses how OTS has supported the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for many years – with grants totaling nearly $8.75 million since 2010. These grants have funded the prosecution of DUI/DUID cases, training for law enforcement officers on DUI/DUID investigations, prevention programs, Crime Lab purchases of specialized equipment to test for certain drugs, many new breath alcohol testing devices and an instrument to analyze alcohol (gas) in blood samples. OTS grants have also funded Crime Lab staff overtime costs to provide on-site assistance at DUI checkpoints.

Hayes shares his experience facilitating the OTS grant, how he has seen these grant dollars put into action and the impact the grant work has had on prosecutions and student education.

Weisberg explains the other types of grants OTS funds and for what types of organizations as well as how organizations can apply for OTS grants.

Weisberg and Hayes talk about new issues and challenges with DUI/DUID trends. They both agree driving under the influence of drugs is the most pressing challenge. Hayes adds that the legalization of marijuana also poses challenges to cases of driving under the influence of marijuana. Weisberg then explains how OTS sets mission priorities and counter measures to different issues impacting road safety.

Weisberg shares what outreach OTS is currently conducting -including PSA campaigns and safety programs such as Go Safely. He also shares other resources available through OTS on driving safety information.

Hayes and Weisberg close by giving their key takeaways from this discussion.

RESOURCES:

https://www.ots.ca.gov/

OTS on social media Facebook @CaliforniaOTS and Instagram and Twitter @ots_ca.

Hate Crimes: What Is Being Done Today? - Justice Journal Episode 26

Off the Record

12/11/19 • 48 min

Description: A discussion on the current state of hate crimes, the challenge with underreporting, the impact on victims and the targeted groups and what is being done today to protect the community against these crimes. Guests are US Attorney McGregor Scott, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp, Supervising Deputy DA Thien Ho, President of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region Deborah Gonzalez and SALAM Islamic Center Chairman Waseem Bawa.

Show Notes: The conversation starts with the difference between a hate activity vs. a hate crime. If people are not sure if something is a hate crime, they should still report it and let law enforcement make that determination.

The group discusses the state of hate crimes today. Faith leaders talk about and security measures that are now needed at houses of worship and faith-based events, and the pursuit of grants to fund additional security.

The topic turns to the impact hate crimes has on its specific victims and the targeted groups that are attacked – which is unique to hate crimes. It’s a very personal crime against who a person is, a part of their identity.

The Hate Crimes Task Force is working to bring law enforcement and community groups together to share information and protect the region from organized and individual (lone) hate crime attacks. Several examples are given of how law enforcement is informing and protecting the faith community and the direct, two-way open communication the Task Force has with faith and other community organizations.

The US Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office have specialized Hate Crimes Units. Some Sacramento County stats and a fully adjudicated hate crimes case example was shared.

The group talks about the most significant challenge with hate crimes – underreporting. Everyone agrees many hate crimes are not reported for various reasons. They believe the key to overcoming this issue is educational outreach among faith and other community groups.

The US Attorney’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and Sacramento FBI Office all have community programs that help to educate the community about their constitutional rights and protections as well as their responsibility as a community member.

Resource Links:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca

http://www.sacda.org/

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sacramento

https://www.salamcenter.org/

http://jewishsac.org/

Tags - District Attorney, Anne Marie Schubert, Justice Journal Podcast, Hate Crimes, US Attorney, McGregor Scott, Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region, SALAM Islamic Center, Hate Crimes Task Force

Driving Under the Influence: Surviving Family Member, Prevention Advocate- Justice Journal Episode 54

Off the Record

03/16/23 • 41 min

Description: A personal story of losing a loved one to a DUI offender nearly 14 years ago, the lasting impacts of that loss, about the court process, what more can be done to prevent DUI crashes and deaths and what is being done to help victims and prevent more DUI tragedies.

Show Notes: Guests Cody Spaeth and Lead Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hayes introduce themselves. Deputy DA Hayes explains his current role related to DUI cases and the DUI/DUID prosecution and Education Outreach program. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Cody begins the discussion by sharing her personal story – starting with what her family was like prior to April 2009, who her father Stan was, what he was like and what Cody remembers most about him. She then talks through the night her father was killed by an already four-time repeat DUI offender. Cody shares how the crash happened, what happened to her father and the traumatic way she and her mother found out that her father was killed by a DUI driver.

Cody explains what happened in the criminal case against the DUI offender and her experience going through the court process starting when she was just 14 years old. Deputy DA Greg Hayes then explains current DUI laws as well as available victim support services and victims’ rights advocacy.

Since undergoing those very traumatic experiences, Cody now speaks to high school students and DUI offender classes to educate and prevent more victims and their families from experiencing the same tragedy.

DDA Hayes and shares information about the many DUI prevention efforts being made by the DA’s Office, including a number of programs for high school students as well as programs for adults.

Cody closes the discussion by talking about the lasting impact her father’s death has had on her and her family– how it led her to her current profession, helping other victims and speaking to the public about how every life matters.

RESOURCES:

https://madd.org/

https://www.arrivealiveca.com/

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/

Inside the Case: Sarah's Story

Off the Record

01/24/25 • 31 min

Podcast Description: Welcome to the first-ever episode of Off the Record, the official podcast from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office! Hosted by Deputy District Attorney Catrina Ranum, this brand new podcast dives into the inner workings of our justice system and showcases the dedicated professionals working to keep Sacramento safe. In this premiere episode, Catrina is joined by Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin and Sacramento City Police Department Detective Jason Collins to discuss how prosecutors and law enforcement collaborate to pursue justice and protect the community. Don’t miss this insightful and engaging debut!

More Show Notes

Episode Title: Inside the Case: Sarah's Story

Description: In the inaugural episode of Off the Record, the official podcast from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, host Deputy District Attorney Catrina Ranum sits down with Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin and Sacramento City Police Department Detective Jason Collins. Together, they discuss the vital partnership between prosecutors and law enforcement, share challenges in pursuing justice, and reflect on what drives their commitment to serve the community. The case discussed features real evidence including a 911 call, video from the assault, and more. This is a part of our Human Trafficking Awareness campaign in partnership with Get Help Sacramento, a tool that provides FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, AND SAFE resources for our community. Visit www.gethelpsac.org to find help near you.

Topics Discussed:

How prosecutors and police work hand-in-hand to protect Sacramento
The challenges and triumphs of criminal investigations
Insights into the day-to-day realities of serving justice
Ways the community can help protect and prevent this type of crime

Guest Info:

Catrina Ranum – Deputy District Attorney, Host

Courtney Martin – Deputy District Attorney, Guest

Jason Collins – Detective, Sacramento City Police Department, Guest

More ways to follow us:

https://linktr.ee/saccountyda

Snippet Highlights:

"The Role of a Detective" (5:20-6:10): Detective Jason Collins breaks down the detective’s role in gathering evidence and building a strong case for prosecution.

"The Justice System’s Impact" (12:45-13:30): Deputy District Attorney Catrina Ranum discusses how collaboration between detectives and prosecutors ensures justice is served and strengthens community trust.

Resources:

https://www.sacda.org/in-the-community/community-programs/

https://www.sacda.org/victim-services/

https://gethelpsac.findhelp.com/search/text?term=human+trafficking&postal=95814&language=en

https://www.my-sisters-house.org/getting-help/programs-services/

https://www.weaveinc.org/

https://cashsacramento.org/

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