Napa County District Attorney Launches Spanish-Language New Website

NAPA COUNTY, CA — The Napa County District Attorney’s Office is launching one of California’s only Spanish-language websites for a district attorney’s office, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced Friday.

The intention is to better communicate with the Spanish-speaking population in Napa County. The Google translation of the District Attorney's English website is insufficient and this is a positive step toward reaching these community members, Haley said in a news release.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 31 percent of the population in Napa County speaks Spanish at home.

The new website, https://www.fiscaliadenapa.org, offers information to victims, witnesses and community members about a variety of topics including domestic violence, sexual abuse, elder abuse, fentanyl, restitution and subpoenas. Up-to-date community resources and contact information are also offered.

It is the first and only Napa County agency with a standalone Spanish-language website and was written by Spanish-speaking staff at the DA's Office, Haley said.

The DA's Office has 16 employees who are fluent in Spanish, including two attorneys, three members of its investigative staff, five victim advocates and six members of its clerical staff. This allows the DA's Offices to serve victims and witnesses on the phone, in person, in court and when emergencies arise. It also cuts the costs and needs for translation services as the staff is fully capable of interpreting in victim and witness meetings, organizing transportation to court, translating documents, audio and video, conducting child forensic interviews and giving presentations in the community.

The DA's Office sends staff out to different locations in the county, including to the Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, a nonprofit that serves the Napa community as the gateway for access to health and social services, a culturally appropriate service provider to Latino families, and a collaborator with a wide variety of community partners.

"The District Attorney’s Office can be an uncomfortable space for many community members," Haley said. "Meeting survivors and community members in places that are safe to them increases access to our services, reduces the ancillary trauma of the criminal justice experience and promotes appreciation for the unique concerns of those we serve."

Spanish-language speakers can call 707-224-1786 or the DA's Office for appointments at Puertas Abiertas.

The DA's Office is pursuing additional efforts to communicate with the Spanish-speaking community, including email, social media and subpoena information.