IN A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD YESTERDAY (MONDAY), SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BOB LEE ANNOUNCED A NEW APPROACH TO REPEAT OFFENDERS. IN THIS NEW SPECIALIZED COURT PROCESS, LEE REPORTEDLY SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH WHAT HE CALLS “VERTICAL PROSECUTION”, WHERE PEOPLE WHO REPEATEDLY COMMIT MISDEMEANOR CRIMES WILL GET HELP FROM SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY FOR ISSUES SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION, AND MENTAL HEALTH. THE 8 MONTH PILOT PROGRAM RECEIVED ONE DEDICATED STAFF PERSON FROM EACH AGENCY INVOLVED AND ALL THE CASES WILL BE HANDLED BY JUDGE DENINE GUY. THE FIRST 5 ARRESTEES WHO MAY QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM WILL BE ARRAIGNED IN COURT TODAY (TUESDAY).
