There shall be elected by districts comprised of one, or more counties, a sufficient number of prosecuting Attorneys, who shall be the law Officers of the State, and of the counties within their respective Districts, and shall perform such duties pertaining to the administration of Law, and general police as the Legislative Assembly may direct.
The District Attorney is an elected official. The District Attorney's office consists of a team of Chief Deputy District Attorneys, Deputy District Attorneys, Trial Assistants, Investigators, Support Staff and Victim’s Assistants who are dedicated to seeking justice.
The District Attorney’s Office represents the State of Oregon in all criminal cases filed in Deschutes County, advocating for victim’s rights and enforcing the laws of the State of Oregon. The District Attorney and his team of 19 Deputy District Attorneys are responsible for evaluating the investigative reports submitted by local, state and federal agencies and determining whether justice and public safety require prosecution. If the Office initiates prosecution, the attorneys are responsible for presenting evidence to and advising the Grand Jury, and representing the State at every stage of the criminal proceeding in Circuit Court thereafter.
The District Attorney is an elected official. The District Attorney's office consists of a team of Chief Deputy District Attorneys, Deputy District Attorneys, Trial Assistants, Investigators, Support Staff and Victim’s Assistants who are dedicated to seeking justice.
The District Attorney’s Office represents the State of Oregon in all criminal cases filed in Deschutes County, advocating for victim’s rights and enforcing the laws of the State of Oregon. The District Attorney and his team of 19 Deputy District Attorneys are responsible for evaluating the investigative reports submitted by local, state and federal agencies and determining whether justice and public safety require prosecution. If the Office initiates prosecution, the attorneys are responsible for presenting evidence to and advising the Grand Jury, and representing the State at every stage of the criminal proceeding in Circuit Court thereafter.
It is the mission of the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office to seek justice, advance public safety and uphold the law. We strive to maintain public trust and serve the people of Deschutes County with fairness, integrity and honor.
Mission Statement
Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office is responsible for providing the following public safety services:
Facts about Steve Gunnels
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Elected in 2022
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Grew up in Deschutes County
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Graduated from Redmond High School
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Oregon State University and Georgetown University Law School
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28+ years as a prosecutor
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Recipient of the Champion of Victims’ Rights Award in 2021.
Trial Assistants
Trial assistants (TAs) perform a multitude of tasks for the DA’s Office. Their primary function is to support for their assigned deputy district attorneys (DDAs) and to process and maintain files.
Placing updated paperwork in the file in preparation for court hearings.
- Processing in-custody intake, which includes in-person work and e-filing.
- Processing files from court – entering case notes,
- judgment information, etc.
- Preparing and sending subpoenas for trials and
- contested hearings.
- Creating discovery packets for defense attorneys.
- Preparing and filing motions as directed by the DDAs.
- Pulling their DDA’s daily docket.
- Putting together new files.
- Ordering and processing evidence.
- Filing loose paperwork.
- Fielding calls from witnesses and law enforcement
- Assisting with travel arrangements for trial witnesses.
- Maintaining office court files in the digital case management system (PBK) and in paper
Deputy District Attorneys
Deputy district attorneys are responsible for several tasks on a day-to-day basis. The most visible and widely recognized duties involve performance in the court room. DDAs prepare for and present cases for trial, including by studying reports, reviewing evidence, speaking with and preparing witnesses, researching and preparing for anticipated legal and evidentiary issues, preparing jury instructions and verdict forms, selecting juries, presenting witnesses and evidence, and providing arguments.
DDAs have many other responsibilities, including
- Review incoming investigation reports and determine whether further investigation is needed.
- Analyze investigative report and available evidence to determine appropriate criminal charges in cases.
- Prepare affidavits, search warrants, arrest warrants, legal memoranda, motions, responses to defense motions, proposed court orders and other related legal documents.
- Remain abreast of case law, legal authority and statutes.
- Appear in court for arraignments, release hearings, plea proceedings, sentencing hearings and other proceedings that the court may schedule.
- Prepare to respond to issues that may be brought up in court.
- Negotiate potential case resolutions with defense attorneys.
- Speak regularly with crime victims regarding their cases and ensure that victims’ constitutional and statutory rights are upheld.
- Cover court for other DDAs as staff scheduling requires.
- Staff cases with coworkers who need input or guidance.
- Reviewing search warrants for law enforcement.
- Answer legal and strategy questions presented by law enforcement.
- And attend community partner meetings.
Grand Jury Coordinators
The Grand Jury Division is responsible for scheduling, running and maintaining the grand jury process and grand jury records.
The grand jury staff’s tasks include:
- Scheduling all cases for grand jury within the appropriate timeframes.
- Juggling officer schedules to optimize the time they are present to testify, taking into consideration their shift schedules and limiting the amount of overtime that the officer would be putting in to appear.
- Sending subpoenas.
- Answering calls and questions from witnesses.
- Ensuring an operational recording system.
- Providing orientation to grand jury groups.
- Processing indictment paperwork, warrants, and recordings.
- Supporting DDAs when presenting cases to the grand jury.
- Meeting the office’s statutory obligation to do a yearly grand jury jail review and associated recommendations.
Victims' Assistance
The Victims’ Assistance Program (VAP) team provides support and assistance to the victims of crime in Deschutes County. They play a vital role, ensuring that the DA’s office meets its statutory obligations to uphold victims’ constitutional and statutory rights. The team provides information, resources and support through the often confusing and lengthy criminal justice process.
There are currently six victim advocates and one director assigned to the Victims’ Assistance Program. The county funds three of them, and grants fund the remaining four.
Each advocate has a specialty, and the cases are assigned based on case type. Due to the lack of staff capacity, VAP assigns advocates only on child abuse, domestic violence, adult sexual assault, elder abuse, some major traffic, some adult assaults, and all violation of Restraining and Stalking Orders.
There are currently six victim advocates and one director assigned to the Victims’ Assistance Program. The county funds three of them, and grants fund the remaining four.
Each advocate has a specialty, and the cases are assigned based on case type. Due to the lack of staff capacity, VAP assigns advocates only on child abuse, domestic violence, adult sexual assault, elder abuse, some major traffic, some adult assaults, and all violation of Restraining and Stalking Orders.
On the assigned cases, advocates:
- Call victims and provide information about victims’ rights.
- Attend court hearings.
- Provide updates, support and connection and referrals to services.
- Assist with obtaining crime victims’ compensation and restitution.
- Facilitate and support trial preparation meetings and support victims through trial.
- Notify victims of final case resolution and answer any questions.
