Savrnoch takes over as new District Attorney in Santa Barbara County
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. –Taking the oath inside a conference room John Savrnoch became the new District Attorney for Santa Barbara County Tuesday morning.
He ran unopposed and had the endorsement of retiring D.A. Joyce Dudley.
During his campaign he said he would seek swift justice for those who threaten our neighborhoods with violence, support mental wellness initiatives and rehabilitation programs.
Savrnoch has 30 years experience as a prosecutor.
He said he plans to work closely with his staff, multiple law enforcement agencies, the Board of Supervisors, courts and probation.
The oath was administered by retired District Attorney Joyce Dudley who said, "this is such a serious, important job, but you are going to come to it from a place of love and kindness and compassion."
Savrnoch will be before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors annually when it comes to his departments budget and staffing. He plans to talk about a big picture view of the county's needs from Carpinteria to Guadalupe, with all communities accessible to his office.
Savrnoch said, "I am aware I am a servant of the people and I will keep that in mind throughout every decision that I make."
For those who have been concerned about arrests and prosecutions the District Attorney's office says it will provide more information about that process and also the end result including sentencing.
Savrnoch says his office will do all it can to get cases before judges but, "we are bound by the law. The District Attorney is not only a servant to the public but also of the State of California and as the law is changed we have to adjust to that."
He is a strong believer in mental health treatment where it is identified to prevent repeat crimes, repeat trips in front of a judge, and repeat time behind bars.
"Sometimes programming is the route to that. Sometimes punishment is the route to that," he said.
The community will also hear a very strong message about driving under the influence of anything that impairs you.
"We are way past the time in the history of this nation where anybody should be driving under the influence," said Savrnoch. When it comes to the variety of substances he sees these days, "you can not be under the influence of those and drive and innocent people are getting injured they are getting killed every day and it needs to stop."
Because of some legislative decisions to align the election process, the normal four-year term for this position will get a one-time adjustment and be a six-year term.
(Related story: Joyce Dudley retires)
