After the forced lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, Riverside County courts accrued a backlog of almost 2,800 criminal cases. As of Dec. 16, 2022, there were approximately 2,200 backlogged cases and Superior Court judges chose to dismiss 1,098 criminal cases. The courts have continued to do so, and the county is now approaching 2,000 cases dismissed. This situation is unsustainable and constitutes a danger to the public.

The vast majority of these dismissals have been DUIs. Second to that have been domestic violence cases, felony and misdemeanor. When a judge dismisses a domestic violence case, they also terminate the victim’s criminal protective order. This is nothing less than injustice and a disservice to the victims.

Our office is dedicated to keeping the community informed about this public safety crisis. We are taking every available action to safeguard our community, such as arguing the dismissals in court, refiling dismissed felony cases, and filing appeals when appropriate.

For more information, please review our News / Media / Archives.

If you are a victim of crime in need of services, our Division of Victim Services is here to help.

Please call (951) 955-5450 or toll-free at (866) 217-3766.