The Shasta County District Attorney’s Office is urging people to contact legislators to urge a fix to a shortage of court resources that has forced some felony cases to be dropped. The court has had to dismiss cases that have timed out. When this happens a second time, the DA’s Office is not allowed to file again and the crime goes unpunished. The shortage of judges and courtrooms has led to the dismissal of at least 20 felony cases this year.
The latest cases at threat of dismissal include 27-year-old Lance Steven Pasalich, accused of forcible rape and other heinous sex crimes with special allegations. The case ran out of time and was dismissed July 22nd. It was refiled and is set to return Wednesday. If there’s no judge and courtroom the case goes away permanently.
Also at threat of dismissal are the cases against Ethan Couch and Jordan Sorani-Peterson. The 18-year-old Couch is accused of carelessly handling a short barreled shotgun, leading to the accidental fatal shooting of 22-year-old Paul Nelson in March at a house on Ricardo Avenue. At the time, Couch was out on bail from an alleged robbery of a 14-year-old victim in late February. Sorani-Peterson is a co-defendant for being an accessory after the fact in the robbery case. They were dismissed on July 23rd when they reached the statutory time limit. They return to court for a second and final chance on Monday.
The DA’s Office says phone calls might be effective. State Senator Brian Dahle’s office number is (530) 224-7001. State Assemblywoman Megan Dahle’s office is at (530) 265-0601.
-Steve Gibson