Riverside County Has a New D.A., What Do You Think?

PHOTO: Michael Hestrin, left, is sworn in as Riverside County District Attorney, as his wife looks on at a ceremony held Monday, Jan. 5, 2105 at the Riverside Historic Courthouse. Superior Court Judge Christian Thierbach administered the oath of office. CREDIT: Bob Markin/Courtesy of the Riverside County DA’s Office

By PAUL J. YOUNG, City News Service:

With his family, friends, supporters and colleagues looking on, veteran prosecutor Mike Hestrin was publicly sworn in Monday as Riverside County’s 15th district attorney, promising “new and constructive” leadership to improve public safety and the justice system.

“We will be rebuilding the DA’s office brick by painful brick,” Hestrin told the roughly 450 people both standing and sitting in front of the Riverside Historic Courthouse. “Our cause is justice, service to the community.”

Hestrin, 43, referred to the occasion as his “moment of grace” and reiterated his thanks to those who had faith in him throughout his campaign to unseat one-term D.A. Paul Zellerbach.

“This is not a moment of triumph but a time for reflection,” he said. “This is a changing of the guard.”

Hestrin promised to aspire to “true leadership,” placing a premium on “service to others, not self.”

“We must seek new and constructive leadership, working with our county’s judicial officers in a manner that assures mutual respect,” he said. “We won’t always agree. A lot of the time we won’t. But a difference of opinion doesn’t mean a difference in principle.”

According to the county’s top prosecutor, he will be relying on public- private partnerships to develop programs aimed at reducing youth crime. The nonprofit DA Crime Prevention Foundation, a concept touted during last year’s campaign, will be instrumental in early-intervention collaborations, Hestrin said.

“We have to identify new and innovative ways to fight crime,” he said.

Hestrin pledged an “unwavering commitment” to work with law enforcement organizations in finding solutions to challenges that arise in the quest for justice and vowed to adhere to a “strict code of ethics and professionalism” that preserves the integrity of the office.

“It’s not my office; the DA’s office belongs to you,” Hestrin said.

Superior Court Judge Christian Thierbach administered the oath, preceded by brief remarks by former District Attorney Grover Trask, who retired in 2006 after almost 25 years at the helm.

“Mike has what it takes to the lead the DA’s office,” Trask said. “I trust he will always put the office’s guiding principles and purposes ahead of the headlines.”

Trask said that, looking back now, he rates one of his most important decisions as DA as the day in 1998 when he hired Hestrin.

What things to you hope to see District Attorney Hestrin accomplish? Tell us in the comments below!