Special Prosecutions Unit (SPU)
The Special Prosecutions Unit handles cases that are directly referred to the District Attorney's office from individuals and local agencies. In these cases, DA Investigators perform the same tasks as inspectors or detectives in any police agency, including: interviews and interrogations; surveillance; report writing; writing and executing search and arrest warrants; courtroom testimony, and other aspects of criminal investigations and case preparation. Crimes handled from start to finish by the Special Prosecutions Unit include:
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Environmental Crimes
The District Attorney's Office also prosecutes complex crimes that cause harm to the environment. Environmental crimes involve violations of statutes and regulations designed to protect the environment as well as the health and welfare of the citizens. These types of cases can include violations of laws regulating the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste and materials as well as air and water pollution.
The District Attorney's Office often collaborates with local, state and federal government agencies to address environmental issues and concerns and investigate those violators of the law. The District Attorney's Office is committed to prosecute to the fullest those that hurt the environment by not following the rules and laws that are adhered to by legitimate businesses.
As with consumer protection cases, the remedies sought can be through either criminal cases where offenders can be sentenced to jail or prison, or civil lawsuits. The remedies for environmental harm can include cleanup of the hazardous substances, financial penalties and fines, and court orders for protective measures designed to prevent the environmental harm from occurring again.
The District Attorney's Office also prosecutes complex crimes that cause harm to the environment. Environmental crimes involve violations of statutes and regulations designed to protect the environment as well as the health and welfare of the citizens. These types of cases can include violations of laws regulating the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste and materials as well as air and water pollution.
The District Attorney's Office often collaborates with local, state and federal government agencies to address environmental issues and concerns and investigate those violators of the law. The District Attorney's Office is committed to prosecute to the fullest those that hurt the environment by not following the rules and laws that are adhered to by legitimate businesses.
As with consumer protection cases, the remedies sought can be through either criminal cases where offenders can be sentenced to jail or prison, or civil lawsuits. The remedies for environmental harm can include cleanup of the hazardous substances, financial penalties and fines, and court orders for protective measures designed to prevent the environmental harm from occurring again.
Public Corruption
Certain crimes represent a violation of public trust in addition to criminal law violations. Crimes committed by peace officers and officers of the court such as thefts of public funds, election fraud, and other forms of official misconduct are investigated by the SFDA’s Special Prosecutions Unit. While most of these crimes are considered non- violent "paper cases," which involves crimes like forgery, perjury, influence peddling, kickbacks and embezzlement, these crimes are serious violations of public trust and are investigated aggressively by the Special Prosecutions Unit . SPU also investigates violent crimes committed by sworn and elected officials. |
Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Unit investigates offenders who defraud employers by lying about work injuries or their ability to return to work after an injury. The unit also investigates employers and medical providers who seek to profit through criminal manipulation of the workers’ compensation insurance system. This unit has established a strong collaborative working relationship with the California Department of Insurance as well as other local, state and federal agencies in order to aggressively investigate and seek prosecution of these offenders. |
Automobile Insurance Fraud/Organized Automobile Insurance Fraud Interdiction
These two units collectively investigate and prosecute automobile insurance fraud committed by policy holders that commit violations such as driver switching; Staged accidents; Cases where the vehicle owners arrange to have their vehicles stolen or burned in order to claim insurance benefits; Instances in which insurance brokers embezzle premiums; And cases where medical and legal service providers commit billing fraud. |
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Officer Involved Shooting (OIS)
District Attorney investigators and prosecutors investigate shootings by law enforcement officers, on or off duty, and in-custody deaths within the City and County of San Francisco. The District Attorney’s offices' role in an officer-involved shooting or an in-custody death is two-fold:
1) Investigate whether any violation of criminal law occurred by the involved peace officers, and if probable cause exists, to prosecute these individuals in a fair and impartial manner.
2) To observe, ensure and attest that the investigation is thorough and impartial, and – as a neutral third party -- to promote and protect public trust and confidence in the integrity of these critical and sensitive investigations.
Responsibilities of District Attorney personnel include the following:
1) Assist and consult with the investigating SFPD personnel about criminal legal issues as they relate to the investigation, including searches, seizures and warrants, identification procedures, elements of crimes, Miranda, evidence, immunity and voluntariness.
2) Conjointly participate with SFPD in their investigation, including interviews and examination of evidence. When deemed necessary, our office may conduct additional follow-up investigations.
District Attorney investigators and prosecutors investigate shootings by law enforcement officers, on or off duty, and in-custody deaths within the City and County of San Francisco. The District Attorney’s offices' role in an officer-involved shooting or an in-custody death is two-fold:
1) Investigate whether any violation of criminal law occurred by the involved peace officers, and if probable cause exists, to prosecute these individuals in a fair and impartial manner.
2) To observe, ensure and attest that the investigation is thorough and impartial, and – as a neutral third party -- to promote and protect public trust and confidence in the integrity of these critical and sensitive investigations.
Responsibilities of District Attorney personnel include the following:
1) Assist and consult with the investigating SFPD personnel about criminal legal issues as they relate to the investigation, including searches, seizures and warrants, identification procedures, elements of crimes, Miranda, evidence, immunity and voluntariness.
2) Conjointly participate with SFPD in their investigation, including interviews and examination of evidence. When deemed necessary, our office may conduct additional follow-up investigations.