Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/04/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CAREERS OF DISTINCTION HONORS RETIRED ASSISTANT D.A. LARRY SCOUFOS

This past Friday night, the Sonoma County Bar Association honored retired Sonoma County Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos, with the Careers of Distinction Award.  The event, held at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in Santa Rosa, included over three hundred people from the legal community.  Also, honored were the Honorable William Bettinelli and the Honorable Dennis Beaman (posthumous).  Retired ADA Scoufos’ award marks the second time in three years that a Sonoma County prosecutor has been recognized by the Bar Association with a Career of Distinction Award.   Retired ADA Greg Jacobs, whose remarks honoring Larry preceded the award, was himself so honored in 2007.

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said, “We, in both our office as well as the community at large, were fortunate to have Larry as a dedicated prosecutor for so many years.”

Mr. Scoufos was recognized as the consummate public servant who cared deeply about helping victims and always seeking justice.  He upheld the highest standard of ethics and was regarded as a true professional his entire career.  A Sonoma County prosecutor for over 26 years, he handled over 100 jury trials, including the 2006 murder prosecution of Luke Hasler and the 1995 case against Robert Scully and Brenda Moore for the execution style killing of Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Trejo, which resulted in a death penalty verdict for Skully.  Mr. Scoufos was lauded for assisting crime victims through various efforts over the course of his career, such as helping to form the GIFT program (Gun Violence Information for Teens), which educates middle school students on the legal and medical consequences of gun violence.  For 12 years he worked with the Hate Crimes Prevention Network, a program designed to raise public awareness and prevent hate crimes and incidents in the county.  He also chaired the Domestic Violence Death Review Team, which reviews all domestic violence related deaths in the county and searches for ways to reduce them.

Mr. Scoufos thanked the Bar Association's Board of Directors, his family and his colleagues.  He spoke about the difficult work of a career prosecutor, the seriousness of criminal cases, dealing compassionately with the impact on victims and the community, and the responsibility of all prosecutors to fight for justice and victims’ rights even in the face of criticism. Photographs courtesy of Irwin Shirwo Photography