Kamala Harris - For California Attorney General 2010

Voters chose Kamala Harris' full view of the law

San Francisco Chronicle
November 26, 2010

From a political standpoint, Kamala Harris' upset victory over Steve Cooley for state attorney general was remarkable. He was the district attorney from Los Angeles, which allowed him to start the campaign with a deeper support base and the opportunity to chide the San Francisco district attorney as a caricature of the leftist city she served.

 ... Read More

Race For Attorney General Still Too Close To Call

By Randy Shandobil
November 8, 2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Republican Steve Cooley maintained his lead in the tight race for California attorney general Monday, although the last unresolved contest for statewide office remained too close to call nearly a week after Election Day. Cooley, Los Angeles County's district attorney, was up three-tenths of a percentage point over Democrat Kamala Harris with about 2 million ballots remaining to be counted.

A win by Harris, the San Francisco district attorney, would give Democrats a sweep of statewide offices in a race that has drawn national attention because of California's influence. The tally has been up and down by thousands of votes since election night.

Click here for additional text and video ... Read More

Attorney General Campaign Update

By Kamala Harris Campaign
November 8, 2010

We all remember the first few hours after the polls closed last Tuesday night. Because the first ballots counted were from heavily Republican counties, Steve Cooley opened an 8-point lead that led Cooley to declare himself the victor, yet by Wednesday morning Kamala Harris was ahead.

As the counties tabulate late-arriving absentees and provisional ballots, we’ll see many abrupt swings in the vote totals. The current count shows Cooley with a small lead for the same reason he appeared to be ahead early on Tuesday evening – the overwhelming majority of the ballots that have been counted since November 2nd have come from conservative counties where Cooley won by large margins. For example, the current vote tally reflects results from Orange County, which represents only 8 to 9 percent of the statewide vote; yet Orange County accounts for nearly one-fourth of all the votes that have been counted post November 2nd. The majority of the counties where Kamala surged on Election Day, including many counties where she defeated Cooley by a two-to-one margin, have yet to tally their uncounted ballots in any significant numbers... Read More

Kamala Harris clings to narrow lead over Steve Cooley for attorney general

LA Times
November 4, 2010

With nearly 7 million ballots counted, Democrat Kamala Harris holds a razor-thin lead over Republican Steve Cooley in the race for state attorney general.

Fewer than 38,000 votes separate the two candidates as thousands of late absentee and provisional ballots remain uncounted. Cooley, the Los Angeles County district attorney, jumped out to an early lead as the votes were being counted across the state Tuesday night... Read More

Calif. AG Race Has National Energy Implications

By Debra Kahn, New York Times Greenwire
October 29, 2010

The winner of California's race for attorney general will have a tremendous amount of influence over state and federal environment and energy policy, although the race doesn't particularly hinge on environmental issues.

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris (D) is the environmentalists' clear favorite over Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley (R). A Field Poll taken at the end of September had them in a statistical dead heat, with Cooley at 35 percent to Harris' 31 percent and with 34 percent undecided... Read More

Democratic Nominee for Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Leaders Unveil Homeowner Relief and Protection Plan

As Attorney General, Harris Pledges to Fight Predatory Lending and Mortgage Fraud

(Los Angeles) San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris joined Los Angeles elected and community leaders today to announce a four-part plan to protect California homeowners from the scourge of predatory lending and mortgage fraud. DA Harris joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Assemblymember Mike Davis and President and COO of FAME Corporations Denise Hunter at the steps of LA City Hall to announce the plan.

The Homeowner Relief and Protection Plan calls for legislative reform and enhanced enforcement to strengthen oversight of lending practices, stamp out fraudulent activities, and give homeowners a chance to get back on their feet. Read more... Read More

'Female Obama' Kamala Harris, California AG Candidate, Targeted By Big Business

Corporate cash is flooding into the California attorney general's race, a sign both of the growing emphasis that big business is putting on state-level legal action and the particular threat posed by up-and-coming multiracial Democratic candidate Kamala Harris... Read More

Dan Morain: High stakes, national spotlight in campaign for attorney general

By Dan Morain
October 23, 2010

Suddenly, California's race for attorney general has become nationalized – and the out-of-state players who have stepped into the campaign say a great deal about the candidates and the power of the office.

Consider this: A political organization based in Virginia, headed by influential Republicans and funded by tobacco, insurance and gambling interests is airing an ad to elect Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, the Republican running against San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris... Read More

Kamala Harris is a different kind of prosecutor

By Phil Willon
October 21, 2010

The Democratic candidate for state attorney general opposes the death penalty and has stressed prevention as well as punishment while San Francisco's district attorney. But convictions have increased dramatically in her office.   By Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times October 20, 2010   San Francisco Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris stood at the pulpit and spoke of redemption and second chances, the first of many clues that she is a different kind of prosecutor.    The Democratic candidate for California attorney general was on a recent campaign swing through Long Beach churches, and blamed California's lock-'em-up law enforcement policies for creating a "broken system'' of overcrowded, revolving-door prisons that do little to make neighborhoods safer... Read More

La Opinión: Harris for Attorney General

The state attorney general faces numerous challenges on a variety of fronts. California’s top law enforcement authority needs a broad vision ranging from citizen protection to environmental compliance and, of course, public safety. Kamala Harris is that person.

The San Francisco District Attorney stands out for her passion in fighting to reduce recidivism. California has the nation’s highest rate of repeat offenders; 70% of convicts return to prison for another crime after having served their original sentence. This phenomenon has a major economic and social impact on our state. The Back on Track program—a public-private partnership—is an example of Harris’s level of commitment to this cause... Read More

Join Kamala Harris at the Grand Opening of the LA Campaign Headquarters

Please join us as we open our new LA Campaign Headquarters at 5442 Crenshaw Boulevard. The grand opening will be held this Sunday, October 17th, from 3 - 6 p.m., and will feature music, food and community leaders. The office will be open daily and will be busy with volunteers working to elect Kamala Harris as California's next Attorney General... Read More

Battle of the big-city DAs

By Josh Richman
October 14, 2010

The race for California attorney general, among the closest of the "down-ticket" statewide contests, is a bruising battle of big-city district attorneys.

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, if elected, would be the first woman and the first person of color to hold the office. The Democrat has been a prosecutor for her whole career and is in her second term as San Francisco's "top cop." She has been shrewd about building political networks, particularly through her work on Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign... Read More

La Opinión: Endorsements influence candidates for Attorney General

By Rubén Moreno
October 8, 2010

Note: The following is an in-house translation of the Spanish Language article Editorial posted below... Read More

San Francisco District Attorney Is Tireless in State Campaign

By Gerry Shih
September 30, 2010

LOS ANGELES — The lively gospel singing had barely died down at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday when the 800-strong congregation welcomed to the pulpit Kamala D. Harris.

 The room was warmed up, and so was Ms. Harris, the San Francisco district attorney, who had rushed to the church after addressing another congregation, of 2,000 people, just 20 minutes earlier... Read More

State Attorney General candidate Kamala Harris touts her experience

By James Rufus Koren
September 27, 2010

Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for state attorney general, touted her experience in linking education and crime prevention during a town hall meeting in San Bernardino on Saturday afternoon.

Harris' comments and audience questions alike focused mostly on the work she's done as San Francisco's district attorney to keep first-time offenders from going back to prison... Read More

Obama gives a campaign boost to Kamala Harris

LA Times
October 9, 2010

President Obama on Saturday used the power of his e-mail list to drum up support for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris, the San Francisco district attorney, in her bid to become California attorney general... Read More

San Francisco Chronicle: Kamala Harris for Attorney General

San Francisco Chronicle
September 24, 2010

California's approach to crime and punishment is not working. Its overcrowded prisons are straining the state budget when the state can least afford it. Seventy percent of released inmates end up back in prison within three years. Kamala Harris, San Francisco's district attorney, has pledged to target that recidivism rate as her No. 1 priority if she is elected attorney general. It is the right move for public safety, the right move for fiscal responsibility and the right focus for an attorney general who would be faced with many competing demands on the office.

 A career prosecutor, Democrat Harris is analytical, innovative - and pragmatic - in her approach to crime reduction. She noted that the average prison sentence is just 24 months, which suggests two conclusions. One, many people are being sent to prison for less than serious crimes. Two, "they are coming out," she said... Read More

State should follow San Francisco example on truancy prevention

By Kamala D. Harris, San Jose Mercury News
September 17, 2010

Recently, a San Francisco judge presiding over Truancy Court asked why a 9-year-old boy had missed more than 60 days of school. The boy said he couldn't get his alarm clock to work. The courtroom fell silent. How is it the responsibility of this 9-year-old to figure out how to get to school every day? Shouldn't the alarms instead be going off for the caretakers -- his parents and the schools?... Read More

The Road to Sacramento - Attorney General Candidates Forum: Kamala Harris

KQED
August 29, 2010

Listen or watch online here.

 California's attorney general is the state's top law enforcement official, second only to the governor in power and importance and holding broad authority to regulate, investigate and prosecute in the enforcement of civil and criminal laws. We present a special broadcast featuring attorney general candidate Kamala Harris. Harris appeared in a forum moderated by KQED's Rachael Myrow, and co-sponsored by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley and host company Microsoft. The program was recorded on August 26... Read More

The Advocate on Prop 8 And Kamala Harris

By Neal Broverman, The Advocate
August 31, 2010

Kamala Harris, San Francisco's district attorney and candidate for California attorney general, refuses to support Prop. 8 in court, but will her opinion come into play in the appeal?

By Neal Broverman, The Advocate

Whether the candidates for governor and attorney general of California really have strong feelings about marriage equality or they just think can use the issue to get elected to office, all four have made their stances clear. Democratic attorney general Jerry Brown won’t defend Proposition 8 in court, while his GOP gubernatorial opponent, Meg Whitman, would if given the chance. Los Angeles County Republican district attorney Steve Cooley, running for attorney general, also would defend Prop. 8, while San Francisco DA and Democratic candidate for attorney general Kamala Harris will not.

“It would be inappropriate for a state on the verge of bankruptcy to use all of those resources to defend a law found to be unconstitutional,” Harris tells The Advocate... Read More

Kamala Harris Appears on SCPR's Patt Morrison Show

SCPR
August 19, 2010

It’s certain to be one of the more interesting races in this Fall’s election season: a conservative southern Californian white male district attorney who supports the death penalty, versus a liberal northern Californian African and Asian-American female district attorney who opposes the death penalty—both vying for state Attorney General. Patt begins our 2010 Attorney General coverage with current District Attorney for San Francisco and candidate Kamala Harris. ... Read More

Blacks Seek Top State Posts in Fall Elections

By Kevin Chappell, Jet Magazine
August 20, 2010

BY KEVIN CHAPPELL, Jet Magazine

Statewide office has been an elusive goal for African­-American politicians, who have historically been more suc­cessful in winning regionally elect­ed positions in state and federal govemment.

Even with the breakthrough of the first Black president, not much has changed. This primary season, there are only a handful of Blacks seeking to become their party's nominee for U.S. senator, governor and state attorney gen­eral - and few are seen as strong contenders for a win in the general election in November... Read More

California truancy bill would crack down on parents of truant schoolchildren

Oakland Tribue
August 18, 2010

By Katy Murphy, Oakland Tribune

Posted: 08/18/2010 02:19:03 PM PDT

OAKLAND -- The word "truant" might bring to mind a teenager with a spray can. But younger children miss school each year, too, with alarming regularity. If a bill clears the state Legislature this month, parents could face jail time and a hefty fine.

In the Oakland school district, more than 5,000 children in kindergarten through eighth grade -- or 18 percent -- missed at least five full days of school without excused absences this past school year, according to district records. About 2,000 missed 10 days or more. Some of their parents, after repeated warnings, were sent to truancy court in Alameda County and charged with an infraction... Read More

Harris says Calif. AG opponent should oppose oil initiative

SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for California attorney general, is calling on her GOP opponent Steve Cooley to side against Texas oil companies... Read More

Fraud case puts permitting under fire

San Francisco Examiner
August 5, 2010

For two decades, civil engineer Jimmy Jen has had a shady reputation: a grand theft conviction, suspected serial arson and flagrant disregard for city regulations.

That reputation grew Wednesday when District Attorney Kamala Harris announced that 56-year-old Jen and colleague Jian Min Fong have been charged with some 243 felony counts of forging approximately 500 city documents and defrauding 100 property owners during the course of 20 years... Read More

District Attorney Kamala Harris Calls Prop 8 Decision "Monumental Step Forward in the Fight for Equality"

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris, the Democratic Nominee for California Attorney General, released the following statement after a Federal Judge struck down Prop 8:

“Today’s historic decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger was a monumental step forward in the fight for equality... Read More

City officials ramp up efforts to curb truancy at problem campuses

San Francisco Examiner
August 3, 2010

San Francisco Examiner

With the school year only two weeks away, roughly 56,000 students are expected to flood the doors of San Francisco campuses. However, at least 9,000 will stay away.

They are the kids who are chronically or habitually truant... Read More

DA Harris Kicks Off 27th Annual National Black Prosecutors Association Conference

LA Sentinel
July 29, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO — District Attorney Kamala D. Harris welcomed over 150 prosecutors from across the country to San Francisco to mark the 27th Annual National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) Conference.

"It is an honor and a pleasure to host the National Black Prosecutors Association's 27th Annual Conference in the City of Saint Francis," said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. "I am proud to be able to share the innovations in public safety that we have developed right here in San Francisco and all the best of what our City has to offer with this dedicated group of colleagues and friends."... Read More

Former Software Company Workers Accused Of Embezzling $2.6 Million

KTVU
July 29, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO -- Two former employees at a San Francisco software company were arrested and charged Wednesday with embezzling more than $2.6 million.

Maria Lourdes B. Dionisio, 46, of Pacifica, and Hannah Yau, 56, of Fremont, are accused of fraudulently issuing themselves checks over a four-year period at Autonomy, Inc...., District Attorney Kamala Harris said. See the video here... Read More

District Attorneys Throughout California Endorse Kamala Harris for Attorney General

SAN FRANCISCO – The Kamala Harris for Attorney General campaign today announced that District Attorneys from throughout California have endorsed Harris's candidacy.

The following District Attorneys today endorsed Kamala Harris for Attorney General:

· Colusa County District Attorney John Poyner · Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos · Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert Otero · Marin County District Attorney Edward S. Berberian, Jr. · Mendocino County District Attorney Meredith Lintott · Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse · Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein · Plumas County District Attorney Jeff Cunan · Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee · Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua · Tehama County District Attorney Gregg Cohen... Read More

California Professional Firefighters Endorse Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Harris wins first major statewide public safety endorsement of General Election campaign

The Kamala Harris for Attorney General campaign today announced the endorsement of the California Professional Firefighters.

“As firefighters, we stand with those who stand up for public safety and California’s first responders,” said California Professional Firefighters President Lou Paulson. “Kamala Harris has met this test throughout her two decades as a prosecutor. We believe she will continue to stand with us, and with all of public safety, as Attorney General.”... Read More

Kamala Harris, the “Female Obama,” Wins Primary for California Attorney General

By Dayo Olopade
June 9, 2010

Overlooked among Super Tuesday's big wins for women, Kamala Harris may be the most ambitious of them all. Dayo Olopade talks to the exotic prosecutor vying to break California's last glass ceiling... Read More

Kamala Harris wins AG primary

By Marisa Lagos
June 9, 2010

Career prosecutors Steve Cooley and Kamala Harris won the GOP and Democratic primaries for attorney general Tuesday... Read More

San Jose Mercury News Endorses Kamala Harris

San Jose Mercury News
May 30, 2010

Perhaps the most intriguing race in this fascinating California primary is for attorney general, where six qualified Democrats and three qualified Republicans are vying to become the state's top cop. It's no surprise. Earl Warren, George Deukmejian and Pat Brown all used the office as a launching pad to the governor's office... Read More

Kamala Harris on AirTalk

By Larry Mantle, KPCC
May 25, 2010

A new poll shows San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris leading the Democratic race for AG. A career prosecutor, Harris has raised her department’s conviction rate. But a recent scandal has led her department to dismiss more than 600 drug cases. A superior court judge concluded that the DA's office failed to fulfill its constitutional duty and violated defendants' rights. Can Harris maintain her lead? Might she become California's first female Attorney General?... Read More

Holding parents responsible for truancy

By Tammerlin Drummond
May 23, 2010

There is a bill working its way through the California Legislature that gives parental responsibility a whole new meaning.

SB1317 sailed through the Senate with surprisingly little opposition considering how controversial it is likely to be once the public gets wind of it. It would hold parents of children in kindergarten through eighth grade criminally liable when their kids are chronically absent from school... Read More

The Arizona Immigration Law: Politics over Policy

By Kamala D. Harris, Huffington Post
May 7, 2010

Never let bad policy get in the way of good politics. That's the cynical motto of the growing class of political copycats bent on replicating Arizona's controversial new immigration law in other states, including California.

Arizona's law, SB 1070, requires local police to act as federal immigration agents. Now police officers in Arizona can detain someone if there is a "reasonable suspicion" that she's an illegal immigrant... Read More

United States Senator Dianne Feinstein Endorses Kamala Harris as California’s Next Attorney General

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Today California’s Senior Senator Dianne Feinstein announced her endorsement of Kamala Harris as California’s next Attorney General... Read More

Our First TV Ad: Drastic Repair

Sacramento Bee Endorsement: State needs a strong attorney general

By Sacramento Bee Editorial Board
May 4, 2010

California's attorney general is the state's top cop, or so the cliché goes. In fact, this state's attorney general ought to be the most important law enforcement officer this side of the occupant of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C.

The job requires passion for justice, deep knowledge of the law, administrative skill, and a willingness to set aside partisanship in pursuit of what is best for the state... Read More

SF Chronicle Endorsement: A focused vision for Attorney General

By San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board
May 2, 2010

California's attorney general has the widest portfolio of responsibilities of anyone outside the governor's office. Crime, environment, corporate fraud, consumer protection. This list goes on. Not surprisingly, the Democratic candidates for attorney general presented an array of contrasts in both their emphasis and their knowledge of the issues. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris stands out in this field both in her grasp of the issues and the clarity of her priorities... Read More

LA Times Endorsement: Kamala Harris in Democratic race for state attorney general

By LA Times Editorial Board, LA Times
April 30, 2010

The Democratic field for attorney general of California is crowded but mixed, divided among several capable candidates and several who do not have the background or vision worthy of the office. Those who merit serious consideration by voters are San Francisco Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris, former Facebook executive Chris Kelly and Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance). The Times sees strengths in all three, but endorses Harris... Read More

California considers bill to punish parents for children’s truancy

KPCC
April 30, 2010

If the bill becomes law, parents of chronically truant elementary school children could face a year in jail or a $2,000 fine.

"These children will invariably be what will end up in our criminal justice system," San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris testified... Read More

Harris gets endorsement from Pelosi

By Marisa Lagos
April 22, 2010

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, who's gunning for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General, scooped up a big endorsement today: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi... Read More

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Endorses Kamala Harris as Attorney General

Mayor of California’s Largest City says Harris his Choice for California’s Top Cop

(LOS ANGELES) – Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced his endorsement of San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris in her candidacy for California Attorney General.  The Mayor announced his support in a press conference with DA Harris on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall... Read More

SF district attorney tags Tagged.com with $650,000 settlement

By Benny Evangelista
April 13, 2010

Four months after settling similar cases with New York and Texas, social network Tagged Inc. has agreed to pay the San Francisco District Attorney's office $650,000 for sending millions of illegally "deceptive" e-mail messages in a 2009 campaign to build membership... Read More

California Nurses Association Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

SAN FRANCISCO –  Today the California Nurses Association, a leading labor organization that represents thousands of California nurses in hospitals, clinics and home health agencies throughout the state, announced their endorsement of San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris as their candidate to be California’s next Attorney General.  ... Read More

SEIU California Endorses Kamala Harris

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, a coalition of more than 700,000 working Californians, today announced its endorsement of Kamala Harris for Attorney General... Read More

Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel today announced her endorsement of Kamala Harris for California Attorney General... Read More

Dem AG candidate Kamala Harris aims to get out front on AB32

By Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle
March 30, 2010

In a move suggesting California's greenhouse gases bill will become a central issue in the 2010 elections, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris -- a Democratic candidate for State Attorney General -- will be the first statewide candidate to call Tuesday for all candidates in the race to defend AB32, the landmark measure... Read More

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti today announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris for California Attorney General.

"District Attorney Kamala Harris has a proven record of innovation and success, demonstrating that the best way to keep our communities safe is to be both tough and smart on crime," said Garcetti. "As California Attorney General, Kamala Harris will help make Los Angeles and cities across the state safer, cracking down on violent crime, protecting Californians from financial fraud and internet predators, and making our state a better place to live."... Read More

Kimberly Emerson: Kamala Women's Day Festival

By Kimberly Emerson
March 22, 2010

Yesterday, under a blue, warm almost-Spring sky, a couple of hundred women, children, and yes, a handful of men, gathered at the Sony Studios backlot to support Kamala Harris, DA of San Francisco and the only woman of five Democratic candidates running for California Attorney General. It was more than a fundraiser, however... Read More

California Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson (D-Alameda), Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), today announced that the CLBC has endorsed San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris’s candidacy to become California’s next Attorney General... Read More

Bill could ban predators from social sites

KABC
March 11, 2010

Eileen Frere - KABC-TV

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Orange County authorities are finding ways to keep predators away from social networking sites to keep children safe... Read More

Protect Children From Online Predators

By Kamala D. Harris & Norma Torres, San Jose Mercury News
March 5, 2010

Assemblymember Torres and I are working to protect California's children. If you would like to support this legislation, please sign our petition at kamalaharris.org/SafeInternet. Together, we can work to make the Internet a safer place for our children... Read More

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris for California Attorney General... Read More

California League of Conservation Voters Endorses Kamala Harris for California Attorney General

The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) — the non-partisan political arm of the environmental movement in California — today announced its endorsement of San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris in her campaign for California Attorney General... Read More

Bill to Ban Social Networking for Sex Offenders

By Marisa Lagos
March 2, 2010

Sex offenders in California would be barred from using social networking Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace under a proposed law aimed at making the Internet safer for children as more and more of them flock to the Web.

Citing horrific cases in which children were sexually assaulted by men they met online, Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Pomona (Los Angeles County) introduced the bill last month, which would make it a crime for Californian's 63,000 registered sex offenders to use any social networking site. The proposed law defines those as a Web site "designed with the intent of allowing users to build networks or connect with other people and that provides means for users to connect over the Internet."... Read More

VIDEO: SF Indicts Alleged Leaders of BNT Gang

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris's Office Indicts 10 Alleged Members of BNT Gang

[WATCH VIDEO]

San Francisco Chronicle, March 1, 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO -- A San Francisco grand jury indicted 10 alleged members of a Bayview-Hunters Point gang that has been linked to three homicides, including the slaying of a man in July in front of his girlfriend, mother and his three children.

In announcing a 30-count indictment - which was handed down Thursday but sealed as police tried to arrest the suspects - District Attorney Kamala Harris said authorities had "decapitated" the gang, known as BNT... Read More

EMILY’s List endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

EMILY’s List, one of the nation’s largest political action committees with more than 100,000 members, today announced its endorsement of District Attorney Kamala Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General.

“Over the last two and a half decades, EMILY’s List has helped elect dozens of highly qualified women candidates in California at all levels of public office,” said Harris. “I am honored to have EMILY’s List by my side in this campaign to bring a smart on crime approach to California’s justice system.”... Read More

Getting African American Children Back in School Before It’s Too Late

By Kamala D. Harris
December 31, 1969

Many of the landmark battles of our Civil Rights Movement hinged on the right to an education.

We all remember the images — the Little Rock Nine escorted to school by federal troops, or a deadly firefight between U.S. Marshals, soldiers and rioting segregationists intent on blocking James Meredith’s enrollment at the University of Mississippi.

Adults and children lost their lives so that African American students could enter America’s school houses. Under the law, our battle was won. But today, in many respects, we are losing the war... Read More

The Mortgage Crisis is Not Colorblind

By Kamala D. Harris
February 26, 2010

Ask anyone to define the "American Dream" and almost surely, the reply will be: "owning a home." And for good reason - a home is equal parts family sanctuary and financial cornerstone. But for too many African-Americans, that part of the American Dream is still that - just a dream. And the recent mortgage crisis has made matters worse. But as we respond to today's headlines, I urge you to not forget yesterday's lessons... Read More

Book 'Em: Smart on Crime - Crimesider - CBS News

NEW YORK (CBS) How can we break the cycle of crime that is filling our prisons to capacity year after year with the same prisoners?

In her new book Smart on Crime, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris takes on one of society’s most pressing issues: reforming our broken criminal justice system... Read More

VIDEO: Discussing Human Trafficking at the Commonwealth Club

A few weeks ago, I discussed human trafficking at the Commonwealth Club, and what we are doing in San Francisco to fight it. Watch the video here... Read More

San Francisco DA Accuses Doctor of Fraud

 Prosecutors today charged a 66-year-old San Francisco man with 51  felony counts for allegedly practicing medicine without a license and  defrauding dozens of patients out of about $75,000... Read More

TheGrio's 100: Kamala Harris, the future of California politics

TheGrio.com
February 1, 2010

By Donna M Owens

In 2003, San Francisco voters elected Kamala Harris to be the city's first female District Attorney. Overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term, Harris is now aiming for higher office: California Attorney General in 2010.

It's a natural progression for Harris, 45, a California native born to an Indian mother and Jamaican-American father. Harris attended Howard University, and then received a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. After graduating, Harris joined the Alameda County DA's office, where she focused on prosecuting child sexual assault cases. She went on to serve in the San Francisco DA's office, where she focused on fighting violent crime... Read More

Smart on Crime Book Reception

Join us for a book reception in honor of the publication of Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: Eso Won Bookstore,4311 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

View Google Map

Refreshments will be served Please RSVP to EsoWon@kamalaharris.org... Read More

California Federation of Teachers Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

CFT Joins former CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin in backing Harris’ candidacy.

 ... Read More

SF launches anti-human trafficking coalition

City agencies and nonprofits have joined forces to fight human trafficking in San Francisco, launching Monday a coalition to raise awareness of the issue, develop policy to fight it and support its survivors.

Several factors combine to make San Francisco a hub of human trafficking, Mayor Gavin Newsom said. The city is a gateway for immigrants, a tourist destination and a place known for tolerance—all characteristics that feed and camouflage the problem. 

"These women are forced to do what they are doing," Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said of women found working in brothels disguised as massage parlors. "When you talk to them, they're frightened, they don't speak English well. Sometimes they are not even sure which city they are in."... Read More

VIDEO: Interview with KQED

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris joins KQED to discuss solutions to crime, proposed in her new book, "Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safe." Watch the video here... Read More

No felon should have body armor

By Kamala D. Harris and George Gascón, SF Chronicle op-ed
January 5, 2010

A California appeals court on Dec. 17 struck down our state's ban on violent felons possessing body armor. The court said that law was too confusing for the average violent felon to follow. Specifically, defendant Ethan Saleem, on parole for manslaughter and wearing a 10-pound bulletproof vest, couldn't be expected to know whether his particular brand of body armor was illegal or not... Read More

Safety Tips for Holiday Travelers and Visitors

By Margie Shafer, KCBS
December 23, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- This is the time of the year where police normally see a higher rate of identity theft, and San Francisco officials are providing some safety tips for travelers.

"What we know during the holidays in particular is that we see that people are more vulnerable and so for that reason, there's a spike," said San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris... Read More

Announcing the Launch of myKamala 1.0!

Today, we have officially launched myKamala.org to give our activists and supporters a place to organize and collaborate.

Spread the word about an event, share pictures and videos with fellow supporters, join an action group for Kamala, or form a new group focused on the issues that matter most to you.

Join in today at myKamala.org!

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Secretary Norman Mineta Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, who represented San Jose in Congress for over twenty years and served in the Cabinets of both Democratic and Republican presidents, today announced that he is supporting San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris for California Attorney General.

The need for political leadership that is at once visionary and practical, courageous and steady, innovative and experienced is crucial,” said Secretary Mineta, whose statement of support can be viewed in its entirety below. “I urge that voters of all philosophies, of various ideological stripes, partisan affiliation, and ethnic backgrounds pay careful attention to Kamala Harris’ record of accomplishment and her dedication to the pursuit of both order and justice. For those reasons, and others, I am happy and honored to lend my support to Kamala Harris in her campaign to become the state’s next Attorney General.”... Read More

VIDEO: Let's Get Smart On Crime

A discussion of Smart On Crime, and how we can achieve better results. Watch the video here... Read More

San Francisco D.A. put truants on the most-wanted list

By Tom Chorneau, SI&A Cabinet Report
December 8, 2009

If elected California Attorney General next year, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris wants to make truancy in the public schools a very big deal.

Harris, a two-term D.A. and a front-runner in the Democratic primary for the state’s top law officer, helped engineer an impressive 23 percent drop in truancy among elementary students in the San Francisco School District in the past year. She’s taking aim now at the older kids and already showing some signs of success... Read More

Muni stabbing suspect to be charged with 4 attacks

By Alan Wang, ABC News
December 3, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco authorities arrested the man described as a "serial stabber" -- responsible for four random attacks.

Police arrested 30-year-old Bobby Brown on Tuesday at 31st and Judah Street in the Sunset District. They say surveillance video from the Muni train, where he attacked a woman on Monday, helped police catch him.

See video by clicking here:... Read More

Kamala Harris, the 'Female Barack Obama,' Answers Her Critics

By Teddy Davis, ABC News
November 26, 2009

San Francisco's D.A. Talks With ABC News About Her Run for Attorney General of California

Down-ballot candidates for state office typically struggle for attention. But San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate for attorney general of California who attended Tuesday's State Dinner at the White House, has become the subject of national attention... Read More

San Francisco D.A. Kamala Harris Talks To Kimberly Marteau About Her New Book Smart On Crime

By Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Huffington Post
November 24, 2009

Q: You dedicated Smart on Crime to your mother, Shyamala G. Harris, calling her "the toughest, smartest and most loving person I have ever known." She died this year. Tell me about your relationship and why she inspired you.

My mother was and will always remain my greatest hero. She was a woman who gave herself to my sister and me unconditionally, and was the most inspiring and courageous person in my life. She was active in the Civil Rights Movement, where she met my father. My mother was also the consummate professional, a world-renowned breast cancer researcher and teacher whose work took her to universities all around the world. Despite her 5-foot stature, she had a commanding presence and a sharp wit, a keen sense of humor and endless depth of knowledge... Read More

DA Kamala Harris is "Smart on Crime"

By Hana Baba, KALW
November 17, 2009

In case you haven’t heard yet, San Francisco’s District Attorney Kamala Harris is in the race to be California’s next Attorney General.  She was the first female DA in the City, the first African American. She’s been called the “female Obama”, and cited by the New York Times as one of 17 women nationwide who would likely be the first woman to serve as President of the United States... Read More

San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón, a thirty year law enforcement veteran who has also served as Assistant Chief of the LAPD and Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona, today announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris for California Attorney General.

“While I’ve long admired Kamala Harris’ record of innovation and success, since my appointment as Police Chief in San Francisco I’ve come to know the District Attorney as a steadfast and effective partner in our efforts to fight crime here in our city,” said Chief Gascón. “I believe that Kamala Harris’ ‘smart on crime’ approach, with its proven track record in San Francisco, is what California needs to get tough and smart on crime.”... Read More

Finding the Path Back on Track

By Kamala Harris, Huffington Post
November 9, 2009

Einstein's definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. By that measure, our current approach to criminal justice may need a shrink--and a new way of doing business.

The old approach to fighting crime is well-known. Police and prosecutors are deluged with low-level drug cases, and the public spends billions on prisons to house these offenders. And, every year, prisons release hundreds of thousands of these offenders back into our communities. They're sent back with a bus ticket and a little cash in hand--and that's about it. They have no plan, no skills, nowhere to go, and no other changed circumstances. They pick up right where they left off; within three years of release, seven out of ten California prisoners will re-offend and return to prison... Read More

Book 'em, Kamala -- S.F. District Attorney Harris adds author to list of credits

San Jose Mercury-News
November 2, 2009

Just in time for her campaign to become California's next attorney general, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris has released a book of strategies to reduce crime and save money doing it.

"Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer" seeks to debunk preconceived ideas about crime and introduces programs deemed successful in San Francisco since Harris was elected to be the city's top prosecutor in 2003... Read More

Video: Today Show: How America Can Get 'Smart on Crime'

The Today Show on NBC
October 29, 2009

How can we successfully rehabilitate prisoners? Can law enforcement better use technology to solve crimes? In her new book “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safe," San Francisco’s District Attorney Kamala Harris — who has been called “the female Barack Obama” — examines new, unconvential ideas on how our society can reform our broken criminal justice system... Read More

Kamala Harris Looks to Achieve Another "First"

Up Front News
October 19, 2009

Time to get acquainted with one of the up-and-comers in the world of politics — an African-American woman, who has already been labeled the “female Barack Obama.” She, too, has a name that requires some practice on first reference: Kamala Harris... Read More

$1 Million Grant to Fund Mortgage and Investment Fraud Unit

SF Examiner
October 21, 2009

For the first time, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office will have its first stand-alone mortgage and investment fraud unit.

The unit will be funded with a $1.06 million federal grant, which was announced by District Attorney Kamala Harris Tuesday as part of a regional effort to combat financial scams. The unit aims to protect desperate homeowners from mortgage and investment fraud, she said... Read More

L.A. Police Chief William Bratton endorses Harris

SF Examiner
October 19, 2009

The Los Angeles police chief has endorsed San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris in her run for California attorney general. “As a career prosecutor with a proven track record of innovation and success, Kamala Harris knows what it takes to effectively fight crime and keep our streets safe,” said Bratton, who has headed the LAPD, the third largest police department in the U.S., since 2002... Read More

Law Aims to Keep Witness Info off Web

By Kate Moser, The Recorder
October 15, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO — Under a bill signed into law by the governor this week and sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, prosecutors hope witnesses in the state's relocation program will be harder to find through Internet searching.

Gang members have targeted witnesses through Internet search engines even when witnesses weren't aware their personal information was online, said Sen. Mark Leno, who authored SB 748 , which was signed Sunday. The new law goes after people or agencies that disclose phone numbers, addresses or other identifying information of protected witnesses... Read More

District Attorney program is now statewide example

By Brent Begin, San Francisco Examiner
October 15, 2009

A San Francisco program started by District Attorney Kamala Harris is now an official example for California counties to emulate.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 750, the Back on Track Reentry Act . The bill, authored by Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass and sponsored by Harris, encourages counties to use the San Francisco model. 

The program, created by Harris four years ago, is meant to reduce recidivism among nonviolent drug offenders by enrolling them in a job-training or educational program... Read More

Truancy Costs Us All

By Kamala Harris, San Francisco Chronicle
October 14, 2009

When Michael was in kindergarten, he missed more than 80 days of school. He was not ill and no one from Michael's family ever called to say why he was not attending school.

When I was elected district attorney, I learned that 5,500 students in San Francisco were habitually truant and - shockingly - 44 percent of the truant students were in elementary school. That is when I partnered with the San Francisco Unified School District to combat school truancy. At the time, many asked why the city's chief prosecutor was concerned with the problem of school attendance. The answer was simple, and as our partnership now enters its fourth year, the reason remains the same: a child going without an education is tantamount to a crime.

Despite his young age, Michael's truancy makes him far more likely to be arrested or fall victim to a crime later in life. In San Francisco, over 94 percent of all homicide victims under the age of 25 are high school dropouts. Statewide, two-thirds of prison inmates are high school dropouts... Read More

Saving Public Resources and Protecting Our Most Important Resource: Children

By Kamala Harris
October 8, 2009

Education, public safety, and the economy: three vastly complex issue areas that time and again are proven to be inextricably linked.

By doing what it takes to keep kids in school in every corner of our state, we can save literally billions of dollars in public resources and greatly improve public safety.

Most of us in law enforcement have known this for many years. As San Francisco's District Attorney, I see the direct impact of what happens when kids don't stay in school; young lives are lost to street violence or prison at an appalling rate, our state loses more resources and our communities are less safe... Read More

City beefs up efforts at truancy prevention

By Brent Begin, San Francisco Examiner
September 26, 2009

Cracking down on the parents of truant students is adding up to better attendance. What began as a modest effort in 2006 in which the District Attorney’s Office would take part in mediations involving the school district and parents has grown into a war on school absenteeism with a full-time prosecutor who has taken 20 parents to court... Read More

Truancy crackdown swings to S.F. parents, teens

By Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle
September 26, 2009

San Francisco school and city officials will beef up the fight against truancy by expanding intervention and criminal prosecution at the high school level to parents and teenagers, District Attorney Kamala Harris announced Friday.

Previous efforts have focused on the elementary and middle schools, where families play a greater role in a child's attendance. Now it's time to target teenagers, Harris said... Read More

Officers for Justice Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

Peace Officers Association comprised of predominantly African American SF cops joins law enforcement leaders across the state backing Harris

Officers for Justice, which since 1968 has represented a diverse association of San Francisco police officers, today announced its endorsement of Kamala Harris for Attorney General... Read More

Kamala Harris, Cali's Next Top Cop?

By Chris Levister
September 2, 2009

She’s brilliant, she’s ambitious, she’s tough and she’s unlike anything you’ll see on Law & Order. They call Kamala Harris the ‘female Barack Obama’ and lately a lot of people from Oprah Winfrey to President Barack Obama are singing the praises of the woman who wants to be California’s next attorney general... Read More

Harris at the White House

By Ben Smith, Politico
August 24, 2009

The San Francisco Chronicle's politics blog notes that the city's district attorney, Kamala Harris, is at the White House today talking about combating gang violence.

Harris a figure to watch nationally, I think — is running for state attorney general, and they report:... Read More

SF DA Kamala Harris at White House today -- asked to talk gang violence prevention

By Carla Marinucci
August 24, 2009

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris' bid for state Attorney General got a big boost today with a plum assignment from the Obama Administration. She's in Washington D.C. Monday with a special invite to talk up the success of her youth and gang violence prevention programs at the White House... Read More

DA Harris and Senator Alquist Champion New Statewide ID Theft Law

Measure Signed into Law Allows for Multi-Jurisdictional ID Theft Prosecution

SAN FRANCISCO - District Attorney Kamala D. Harris announced today the signing of Senate Bill 226 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday, August 6, 2009... Read More

Smart on Crime: More Safety at Less Cost

By Kamala D. Harris
August 14, 2009

Kamala Harris raises $1.2 million during first six months of 2009, more than any other Democratic or Republican Attorney General

Since launching campaign for AG last November, Harris has raised more than $1.3 million from 2,400 donors

SAN FRANCISCO – The Kamala Harris for Attorney General campaign raised $1,204,606 during the first six months of 2009, bringing her campaign’s total to over $1.3 million raised from more than 2,400 donors. Harris’ fundraising total exceeds her nearest competitors by more than $200,000, and does not include any funds transferred from other accounts. More than $500,000 of Harris’ total was raised online... Read More