District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s Criminal Justice Reforms, Special Units, and Task Forces
“For over a decade, DA Rosen has been a critical ally and advocate for some of the most important criminal justice reforms in California which have treduced needless incarceration for thousands of people, saved the state tens of millions of dollars, and redirected funds to schools, victim services and other critical community services.”
— Michael Romano, Director and founder of the Three Strikes and Justice Advocacy Projects at Stanford Law School.
District Attorney Resentencing Law
In partnership with criminal justice reform advocates, District Attorney Jeff Rosen sponsored and lobbied for the passage of AB 2942, a historic and nationally recognized law that empowers prosecutors to seek the early release of incarcerated individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and “where further confinement is no longer in the interest of justice.” This impactful legislation has already resulted in the release of dozens of individuals who have since become productive, law-abiding members of society.
Conviction Integrity Unit
DA Rosen also established a groundbreaking, nationally acclaimed Conviction Integrity Unit—the first of its kind in the nation—to investigate claims of innocence and promote the highest standards of prosecutorial ethics. The unit incorporates best practices such as double-blind eyewitness identification, Open File Discovery, a Brady Committee to examine police misconduct, and a collateral consequences policy to help prevent deportation for undocumented individuals charged with low-level offenses. It also developed a model protocol for the independent, objective, and transparent investigation of police officer-involved shootings.
Worker Exploitation Task Force
To combat discrimination against immigrant communities, DA Rosen created a Worker Exploitation Task Force that conducts targeted investigations to protect and support victims of labor trafficking, wage theft, and illegal exploitation. The task force also raises public awareness about how these insidious crimes disproportionately impact communities of color.
The Cold Case Unit
DA Jeff Rosen fulfilled his campaign promise to revive the Cold Case Unit, bringing renewed hope to the families of unsolved murder and rape victims. By leveraging advanced DNA technology, the unit has solved dozens of cases, delivering long-overdue justice and closure to long-suffering families.
Human Trafficking Unit
Between July 2019 and June 2020, DA Rosen’s Human Trafficking Unit filed charges against 80 defendants and achieved a 97% conviction rate. Just as significantly, 83 victims received support services, including advocacy and healing resources. The unit also partnered with Alcohol Beverage Control to investigate labor traffickers in liquor stores and collaborated with the Milpitas Police, FBI, and State Department to dismantle a brothel network exploiting women in San Jose, Milpitas, and South San Francisco—resulting in the rescue of multiple trafficking victims.
Proactive Victim Services Unit
Under DA Rosen's leadership, the office established a robust Victim Services Unit that provides crime victims with court support, counseling, funeral expense assistance, emergency housing, restitution, and other essential services—reaching thousands of individuals each year.
Community Prosecutors & Family Justice Centers
DA Rosen deployed Community Prosecutors into underserved neighborhoods to work with local nonprofits and community leaders to reduce youth crime, graffiti, gang activity, truancy, and domestic violence. He also launched a series of Family Justice Centers across the county, offering survivors of domestic violence easy access to legal help, shelter, food, and counseling through coordinated, multidisciplinary teams.
Gilroy Strong Resiliency Center
In response to the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, DA Rosen established the Gilroy Strong Resiliency Center—the first of its kind on the West Coast—to provide trauma recovery and mental health support for victims and the broader community.
VTA Victim Family Assistance Center
Following the 2021 mass shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose, the DA’s Office mobilized within six hours to open a Family Assistance Center, staffed with mental health professionals, victim advocates, victim compensation claims specialists—and DA Rosen himself. The center served more than 130 individuals in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Parent Project
DA Rosen implemented the 12-week Parent Project® course, completed by thousands of local families, to strengthen family dynamics and help parents of at-risk youth keep their children out of the criminal justice system.