Special Prosecutors

Special Prosecutions

• Consumer and Environmental Protection

• Code Enforcement

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting public safety and preserving the quality of life in our community through civil abatement and criminal prosecution of state law and county ordinance violations related to substandard conditions, fire hazards, public health, and area nuisances.

The Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit's (EPU) Code Enforcement Division provides direct enforcement support for violations occurring in unincorporated areas of Orange County and assists local municipalities on complex code matters. The Code Enforcement Division resolves most violations by administrative action and/or through office conferences. Formal criminal actions are usually reserved for matters involving life safety or where timely regulatory compliance is not forthcoming.  

How to Report

To report an emergency jeopardizing life or property anywhere in Orange County, call 9-1-1. 

For all non-emergency code violations involving;

• Substandard conditions 
• Unpermitted structures 
• Public health concerns 
• Property maintenance
• Ongoing nuisance 
  • You should contact the Code Enforcement Division for your respective area, depending upon whether the violation is occurring in a particular city or an unincorporated area of Orange County.

A reference list of most code enforcement resources throughout Orange County can be found on the Resources page of this website.

Common Violations

• Unpermitted construction  
• Grading, and lack of property maintenance 
• Unlicensed business and similar regulated activities 
• Interference with utilities and public lands
• Substandard residential, commercial, or nuisance properties 

More serious matters relate to;

• Fire concerns such as brush clearance, smoke detection and fire prevention 
• Environmental issues such as water quality, streambed alteration, illegal dumping, substandard health conditions, and other hazardous circumstances that threaten life and/or property.

Parole Hearings

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) fights against the release of dangerous felons from prison into the community to protect victims’ rights and public safety. When the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections notifies the OCDA that an inmate is due to be paroled, an experienced prosecutor reviews the case, and when appropriate, drafts a Letter of Opposition, may conduct multiple hearings, and advocates for victims of crime, whether they are present or absent.

The OCDA participates in approximately 200 parole hearings each year. 

• Prosecutors attend hearings in person to advocate for the Board of Parole Hearings to deny the release of dangerous inmates into the community, and 77 percent were denied in 2017. 
• The rest are opposed through video conferencing. 

Over 90 percent of these parole hearings are for inmates in prison for murder. Many of these dangerous inmates maintain that they were wrongfully convicted, fail to show remorse or accept the gravity of their crimes, commit new crimes, and fail to follow rules, even in a structured prison environment. If parole is denied, the inmate may renew a request for consideration in three to 15 years.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to keeping violent, recidivist criminals behind bars to protect our communities. Despite the OCDA’s strenuous opposition in the appropriate cases, we are seeing an increase in the early release of murderers, rapists and other violent offenders. We will continue to advocate against their release and giving a voice to victims to protect them and the community at large.

Hate Crimes

Hate crime laws prohibit the use or threat of force or the destruction of property by any individual to intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten any other person in exercising any right secured by the U.S. Constitution or state or federal laws based on “race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or disability.”  In addition, any felony or attempted felony that is “substantially motivated” by such factors is subject to a sentencing enhancement for up to four additional years in state prison. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office also works closely with anti-hate groups including the Anti-Defamation League and the Orange County Human Relations Commission to foster acceptance and understanding in order to ensure that all people are treated fairly, equally, and free from discrimination.