LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, and LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman celebrated the recent signing of The Victim and Witness Protection Act into law. Authored by Assemblywoman Schiavo and co-sponsored by City Attorney Feldstein Soto and District Attorney Hochman, this bill strengthens protections for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other crimes by ensuring that victims and witnesses can seek justice without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
“Victims of crimes, such as domestic violence and sexual abuse, deserve to be free from witness or victim intimidation or being dissuaded from seeking justice,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. “Protecting victims has been a priority of my administration and this critically important bill will empower victims and witnesses, including children, to assist law enforcement without fear of intimidation or retaliation. I am proud to have co-sponsored this bill, and applaud the Governor, the California Legislature and Assemblymember Schiavo for their leadership in strengthening laws that will protect our most vulnerable victims.”
“As a childhood victim of sexual abuse who testified in court against my predator, I have seen firsthand how difficult it is for survivors to come forward. Fear and intimidation can allow abuse to continue, and this bill changes that,” said Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo. “I greatly appreciated the partnership of City Attorney Feldstein Soto and District Attorney Hochman in this effort, doing all we can so our laws protect the people who need it most — especially children and survivors of domestic violence and trafficking.”
“Our justice system depends on the ability of witnesses and victims to testify in court without fear or intimidation,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “AB 535 makes it crystal clear, trying to stop anyone from reporting or helping prosecutors after charges are filed is a crime—period.”
Prosecution of witness intimidation and attempted witness intimidation is fundamental to the proper administration of justice. In 1980, California enacted Penal Code Section 136.1 to ensure that victims and witnesses could safely report crimes without fear of retaliation. This was designed to provide comprehensive protections for victims and witnesses throughout all phases of the criminal justice process, not solely prior to the filing of charges.
The Victim and Witness Protection Act reaffirms and extends protections against “post-charging” intimidation because witness and victim intimidation frequently occurs after charges have been filed. Thus, it is crucial for public safety that witness dissuasion not be limited to the period before a criminal case is initiated.
Feldstein Soto’s office cofounded and is a member of the Domestic Violence Restraining Order Enforcement Task Force, a citywide collaboration that addresses the gap between California’s firearms relinquishment laws and their implementation. The task force recently received a $1 million grant to carry out its goal to safely and effectively ensure prohibited parties are disarmed.
Assemblywoman Schiavo has consistently championed policies that protect survivors and strengthen public safety. This year, she secured $100 million in state funding for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programs to ensure survivors of domestic violence, elder abuse, human trafficking, and other crimes continue to have access to safe housing, legal support, counseling, and crisis services — especially as federal funding declines. Together with The Victim and Witness Protection Act, this work strengthens the safety net for survivors, prevents intimidation from silencing victims and witnesses, and ensures accountability for those who cause harm.
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Hydee Feldstein Soto is the 43rd Los Angeles City Attorney, elected in November 2022 and sworn into office in December 2022. Her team of nearly 1,000 legal professionals, including 500+ attorneys, carries out legal work for the City of Los Angeles at her direction and under her supervision. She is the first female City Attorney in L.A. history.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 and re-elected in 2024 to represent the 40th Assembly District, representing the Northwest San Fernando Valley, Val Verde, Castaic and the Santa Clarita Valley. Upon her election, she was appointed as Assistant Majority Whip by the Speaker of the Assembly and now serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. During her first term she brought back a record $94 million district investment in school and community safety, seniors meal programs, veteran housing, domestic violence services and creating local jobs. Prior to her election, Assemblywoman Schiavo was a Nurse Advocate and Small Business Owner who worked in the labor movement for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, Assemblywoman Schiavo helped deliver healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, to more than one million people. In the Northwest San Fernando Valley, she co-founded an organization that helped secure housing for Veterans experiencing homelessness, has delivered more than 50,000 meals to people in need, and increased resources to help keep our communities safe. Assemblywoman Schiavo lives in Chatsworth with her creative kid where they love to hike in the Santa Susana Mountains.
On Dec. 3, 2024, Nathan J. Hochman was sworn in as the 44th District Attorney of Los Angeles County, vowing to improve public safety by pursuing appropriate sentences for violent and serious offenders, while offering counseling and rehabilitation to those whose crimes were motivated by addiction or mental illness. A lifelong Angeleno, DA Hochman served as Assistant U.S. Attorney General for the Tax Division of the Department of Justice in 2008. Prior to that, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California from 1990 to 1997, serving in the Criminal Division. He also had an extensive career in the private sector, as a partner of several nationwide law firms and as a leading expert in tax law, criminal defense and environmental law. DA Hochman previously served as President of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown University and earned his law degree from Stanford Law School.