RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Riverside County prosecutors are growing more critical over the number of criminal cases being dismissed because of a lack of Superior Court judges.

According to a tally by the District Attorney’s office, more than 600 cases have been tossed out including fifty felonies. Most involve domestic violence or DUI cases and most were dismissed at the Indio Superior Court.

DA Mike Hestrin pointed out that his office had its witnesses lined up in preparation for trial. Instead, because a presiding judge was not available, the suspects were ordered released.

“This is a public safety crisis, and it needs to stop,” Hestrin said in a statement Monday November 7th.

Hestrin pledged to take alternative steps including refiling felony cases and seek appeals.

Story Date: November 27, 2022