Justice Matters Podcast

Chief of the DA’s Office’s White Collar Unit, Erin Delaney, joins Aaron to talk about how we hold financial criminal offenders accountable and work to help victims of these crimes. Cheri Railey-Shapleigh, Principal ADA in the White Collar Unit, describes the financial toll white collar crime takes. ACA Chris Sullivan, Division Chief of the Criminal Unit, prosecutes crimes like wage theft and deceptive business practices; he describes how this can make victims feel gas-lighted and question their own judgment. And also look for discussion along the way about Beaumont humidity, the World Cup, BTS, and the famous 1966 El Paso UTEP national championship basketball victory.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and so in this episode we return to this important topic. Sandra Nevarez Garcia, Executive Director at the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, joins as this week’s co-host. Guest and ADA Jessica Villava explains her new role as the Domestic Violence Unit Chief, offers an update on the DA’s 24-Hour Contact Program and talks about her 1-3- and 5-year plans for the work. She also schools Aaron on what a Cricket Craft Machine is - iykyk. Mary Perez, Victim Specialist at the County Attorney’s Office, discusses her role in documenting applicants’ allegations who seek protective orders to provide summaries to the Protective Order Unit’s Screening Attorney. Doing this emotionally challenging work takes a toll, but ziplining in Costa Rica amongst other travels (ironically) helps her stay grounded.

Here’s the Season 3 Premiere of Justice Matters! It’s been a minute since last season, so this is your chance to catch up with the elected 34th Judicial District Attorney James Montoya and El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez. Have they met the goals they set for themselves in that first episode from Season 1? Join Aaron and guest-host and current KVIA Morning Show anchor Rosemary Garcia to hear more about how both of these powerhouses have settled into their positions.

In this Season Finale, guest co-host Sandra Garcia, the ED of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence and Aaron bring you four of the most important components of response to domestic violence in our community – the DA, the CA, the Sheriff and an EPPD Asst. Chief. Last fall, they came together in a panel at the 3rd Annual Family Justice and Wellness Conference. Hear about challenges and opportunities related to holding offenders accountable and helping victims get safe. And listen in for who likes hiking, ATV’ing, and dancing in their off-time wellness.

How does our community address challenges in the criminal and civil justice system related to people with mental health challenges? This week hear from ADA Dana Carmona about innovative programs aimed at diverting defendants experiencing crises to mental health services rather than the jail system. And learn from ACA Jed Untereker about how civil commitments can also be an important, yet imperfect, tool for positive interventions.