Monterey County DA Jeannine M. Pacioni Appoints Marisol Mendez as an Assistant DA

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, May 21 the appointment of Marisol Mendez to the position of Assisant District Attorney. Mendez was born and raised in the Salinas Valley, by way of Soledad and Salinas as she graduated from Salinas High School and went on to Hartnell College where she transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. Mendez attended McGeorge School of Law with the intent on practicing Constitutional Law. Her career trajectory shifted after spending a summer as an intern with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office where she recognized the important work prosecutors do for the community In 2005, Mendez began her career as a prosecutor with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. After 3 years, she returned home to Monterey County to serve her community. From 2008-2018, she worked as a deputy district attorney, and in May 2018, she was promoted to managing deputy district attorney. Mendez has held a variety of prosecutorial assignments. She serves as Co-Chair of the Community Restorative Justice Commission, she currently supervises the Prisons Prosecution Unit, Juvenile Justice Unit, Civil Commitments Unit, Board of Parole Hearings Unit, the Office of Traffic Safety DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit, the MADCAT Prosecution Unit, the Welfare Fraud Unit and the California Department of Insurance grant funded units which includes the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Unit and the Disability and Healthcare Insurance Fraud Unit. Mendez also manages the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office Intern Program. In addition to her prosecutorial range she brings to the position, Mendez has a passion to serve her community. “I love Monterey County. Having been born and raised here I feel indebted to this community for all the great teachers, friends and neighbors that have enriched my life. I want to do all that I can to make this community safe and ensure that the criminal justice system is equitably applied for all those who become involved in it.” District Attorney Pacioni stated that “Ms. Mendez is an effective and multitalented leader. Her lifelong commitment to the welfare of Monterey County residents, and dedication to seeking justice makes her perfect for our executive leadership team.” Mendez will begin her new position on May 22 and will be joining Assistant District Attorneys Doug Matheson and Christopher Knight.