Meet the District Attorney
Ms. Pacioni received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. After receiving her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 1990, she became licensed to practice law in the states of California and Arizona. In 1990, she worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and in 1992 she joined the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
In 2001, she left to raise her family, returning after an 8-year sabbatical during which time she also served as a Grand Juror of the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury, and as President of the Junior League of Monterey County. In 2012, she joined the National Charity League of Monterey Bay, of which she has served as a member of their Board of Directors. Currently, Ms. Pacioni is a Board Member of the Monterey Rape Crisis Center, Monterey County Children’s Council and the Child Abuse Prevention Council. She is also a member of the Monterey County Bar Association and the California District Attorneys Association and the Monterey County Chief Law Enforcement Officers Association.
Ms. Pacioni has devoted her entire legal career to the pursuit of justice while handling virtually every type of criminal case prosecuted in Monterey County. For 20 years as a prosecutor, she has tenaciously represented victims of crime in numerous high-profile cases involving murder, gang crimes, vehicular manslaughter, assault, robbery, child molestation, adult sexual assault, and elder abuse. On November 21, 2019, Ms. Pacioni was recognized by the Monterey County Women's Lawyers Association as the 2019 recipient of the Lady Justice Lifetime Achievement Award for Legal Advocacy and Community Service.
In 2018, she was elected and became the first female District Attorney in Monterey County.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Press Releases
SALINAS MAN PLEADS NO CONTEST TO STABBING EX-GIRLFRIEND, ASSAULTING OFFICER WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, AND USING DAUGHTER AS HUMAN SHIELD AFTER MAY 2025 POLICE CHASE
People v. Oscar Villareal, Jr., 25CR003605
02/04/2026 2:24 PM
WASHINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER AND FELONY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CAUSING INJURY
People v. Anthony Harvey, 25CR000941
01/30/2026 4:45 PM
FAITH & FAMILY FARMS TO PAY $120,000 IN CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CANNABIS LICENSING VIOLATIONS
People v. Faith & Family Farms, LLC (25CV006555)
01/29/2026 11:47 AM
SALINAS MAN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD MOLESTATION
People v Gonzalo Rios 23CR007280
01/29/2026 11:44 AM
INMATE SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS PRISON FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL
People v. Brandon Peters 25CR001661
01/29/2026 11:43 AM
Supervising Legal Secretary Recruitment
01/28/2026 9:00 AM
GONZALES MAN SENTENCED TO 34 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD MOLESTATION
People v Jose Christian Montenegro; Monterey County Case No. 24CR008613
01/22/2026 4:19 PM
DISTRICT ATTORNEY RELEASES PRELIMINARY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING OCCURRING ON JANUARY 18, 2026
01/22/2026 2:18 PM
OPERATION REDRUM TARGET CONVICTED FOR 2017 DOUBLE ATTEMPTED MURDER & 2018 MURDER
People v. Julius Santa Cruz; 20CR001872, 24CR005080
01/21/2026 12:12 PM
JURY CONVICTS SALINAS MAN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MAYHEM, KIDNAPPING, AND CRIMINAL THREATS
People v. Arnold Mata Sanchez, 25CR003801
01/13/2026 4:28 PM
SOLEDAD LANDLORD PAYS $30,000 FOR VIOLATING CALIFORNIA’S TENANT PROTECTION ACT AND OTHER CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
People v. Mi Tierra Linda LLC (25CV006555)
01/09/2026 12:03 PM
GREENFIELD MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD MOLESTATION
People v Miguel Rubio 23CR001070
01/09/2026 12:01 PM
Office of Traffic Safety Awards $790,000 Grant to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for Specialized DUI Prosecution Team
12/30/2025 4:21 PM
MONTEREY MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY
People v. Angel Sylvestre Martinez, 25CR007137
12/30/2025 4:18 PM
REFUGE SPA MASSEUR PLEADS GUILTY TO FOUR COUNTS OF SEXUAL BATTERY
People v Michael Selig; Monterey County Case No. 23CR006538
12/22/2025 4:16 PM
DISTRICT ATTORNEY RELEASES PRELIMINARY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING OCCURRING ON DECEMBER 16, 2025
12/19/2025 10:38 AM
JURY CONVICTS INMATE FOR POSSESSION WEAPON WHILE SERVING SENTENCE IN SALINAS VALLEY STATE PRISON
People v. Paul Chavez Ramirez 25CR004706
12/18/2025 11:18 AM
MARINA MAN SENTENCED TO 275 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR CHILD MOLESTATION
People v. Mariano Botello, 24CR006276
12/18/2025 9:32 AM
THE EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR DEATH OF TRENTON BLACK AT MOSS LANDING HARBOR
12/11/2025 10:16 AM
MOTHER OF DECEASED NEWBORN FOUND ABANDONED IN PRUNEDALE IN 1994 PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER AND CHILD ABUSE CAUSING GREAT BODILY INJURY
People v. Pamela Ferreyra, Case No. 24CR007724
12/04/2025 4:12 PM
Contact Us
Main Office
142 W. Alisal Street, Suite A, Salinas, California 93901
Monterey Office
1200 Aguajito Rd. Room 301, Monterey, California 93940
King City Office
250 Franciscan Way, King City, California 93960
Phone: (831) 755-5070
Fax: (831) 755-5068
Email: publicinformation@co.monterey.ca.us