Sacramento County District Attorney's Office Offical Podcast - Off The Record

In this episode, we take a closer look at DUI checkpoints—why they’re conducted, how they work, and the role they play in keeping our communities safe. We break down the purpose behind these operations and why they remain a critical tool in preventing impaired driving. A special thank you to the Rancho Cordova Police Department for their participation and for providing photos from their recent DUI...

OTR Season 2 Episode 3 When Life Isn’t Life: The Reality of Elder Parole Elder parole is bringing some of California’s most serious offenders back into the spotlight. In this episode of Off the Record, we break down what elder parole means, how the process works, and the real impact on victims and their families—long after sentencing. Learn More: https://www.sacda.org/early-prison-releases/elder-p...

In this special edition of Off the Record, we center the voices of those left behind—sharing how families cope, honor their loved ones, and move forward after a preventable loss. If you would like to see the families tribute video for De'Juana, please visit this link.

To launch the new year and a new season, we’re joined by Director and TV host Mark S. Allen and MADD Victim Services Manager Rhonda Campbell for an honest and impactful conversation about a side of DUI that’s rarely discussed: the offender’s journey. Mark openly reflects on his past DUI experiences, the personal and professional consequences that followed, and the moment he chose to confront his a...

Domestic Violence Awareness Month may have ended, but the work to educate, support, and prevent never does. In this powerful edition of  Off the Record , host Catrina Ranum sits down with two members of the Sacramento Family Justice Center team for an honest discussion about survival, recovery, and the path to healing. Together, they shed light on the realities of domestic violence, the dangers of...

In this episode of DUI Impact: Voices from the Frontline, we sit down with a Sacramento Police Department Lieutenant and a Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Sacramento (LECS) chaplain who have walked alongside victims and families in their darkest hours. Together, they share what it’s like to confront DUI tragedies firsthand—on the scene, with survivors, and in the aftermath. Their stories reveal not...

"Hidden in the Walls"  takes you inside one of Sacramento’s most startling discoveries — a case where the truth was buried inside the walls of an unsuspecting home. District Attorney, Thien Ho, spoke with the homeowner who uncovered the secret and made the call. We also spoke with the detectives who followed the trail, and the responding officer who saw it unfold. From the initial shock...

This is more than a DUI story — it’s a wake-up call, and a tribute to those who refused to look away. In this episode of Off the Record, we revisit a devastating DUI crash that claimed a mother’s life and left her young daughter permanently injured. Several brave community members stepped in to help — and two of them joined us to share what happened that day. As the holiday weekend approaches, let...

Episode Title:   A Preventable Tragedy: The Reality of DUI Cases Description: In this special episode of  Off the Record , Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney  Courtney Martin  walks listeners through the tragic reality of DUI-related incidents. This episode includes real  body worn camera footage  from an investigation involving a driver whose choices led to devastating consequences.   We...

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...

Episode Title:   Did You Know? How to Spot & Stop Hate Crimes Description: In this episode, we explore the legal distinctions between hate crimes and non-hate crimes, and the complexities involved in proving a hate crime. Our expert guests explain how hate crimes are defined, how intent and motivation play a role, and the impact that a hate crime enhancement can have on sentencing. Additionally, t...

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 D...

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...

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 Dep...

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...

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 e...

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 i...

Description : Discussion on DUI involving prescription and mixed drugs, and how to avoid driving while having an unintentional or intentional adverse reaction to prescription medicines and/or other drugs. Show Notes:   Lead Deputy District Attorney Greg Hayes, Supervising Criminalist Craig Triebold and CHP Officer Travis Herbert participate in a discussion on DUIs involving prescription medicines...

Description: Discussion on problem of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and/or drugs (DUID) and the education and prevention efforts among youth – focusing mostly on teenagers. Show Notes: Judge Curtis Fiorini, Deputy District Attorney Stefanie Mahaffey, CEO Angela Webb of Arrive Alive, California and CHP Officer Travis Herbert discuss the issue of DUI/DUID and efforts to educate and pr...

Description : Discussion on what mass victimization trauma is and how the Mass Victimization Crisis Response Team works together to provide support services for those directly and indirectly impacted by a large-scale, multi-victim criminal incident.   Show Notes:   District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager Nina Acosta provides a general overview of the District Attorney’s Victim...

Description: A discussion with survivors of the East Area Rapist turned advocates in recognition of Victim Rights month moderated by Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho.  Guests are Kris Pedretti and Gay Hardwick.   Show Notes: Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney, Thien Ho moderates a discussion about two survivors who faced the East Area rapist and lived to talk about it.  They...