New City Prosecutor Sworn In

Redondo Beach has a new city prosecutor. Melanie Chavira took her oath of office and received her badge from City Attorney Mike Webb at the beginning of Tuesday's city council meeting.

"Melanie is going to be an outstanding city prosecutor," said Webb, who noted that she's a graduate of UCLA's law school.

Chavira comes to Redondo Beach from the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, where she was an assistant supervisor in the criminal division.

She made headline news when she prosecuted Lindsay Lohan in connection with the theft of a necklace. Lohan pleaded no contest to the charges.

Chavira replaces Brenda Coe as Redondo's city prosecutor. Coe, who was the city's first female city prosecutor, left in January to assume the position of general counsel for a program that helps at-risk youth.

The city prosecutor is in charge of prosecuting misdemeanor offenses in the city, filing criminal complaints in Superior Court, advises and trains law enforcement, and coordinates special prosecution programs, such as the Spousal Abuse Prosecution Program and the Identity Theft Investigation/Prosecution Team, according to the city's website.