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. Ms. Pacioni was formerly a Board Member of the Monterey Rape Crisis Center, and is currently a member of the 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
THREE NORTENOS HELD TO ANSWER FOR BRUTAL 2024 HOMICIDES THAT DEVASTATED SOUTH MONTEREY COUNTY
People v. Pedro Nava [24CR003714], Jonathan Cervantes [24CR003715], and Angel Evans [24CR007051]
11/13/2025 4:28 PM
THE GROWERS COMPANY, INC. TO PAY A $125,194 PENALTY FOR EXPOSING EMPLOYEES TO PESTICIDES
People v. The Growers Company, Inc.; Case No. 25CV005448
11/10/2025 1:41 PM
A GREENFIELD WOMAN WHO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED WELFARE BENEFITS FOR HER OUT-OF-COUNTY DAUGHTER WAS CONVICTED OF A FELONY AND SENTENCED TO JAIL
People v. Ilda Sanchez, 24CR003805
10/31/2025 2:51 PM
JURY CONVICTS FORMER CARMEL VALLEY WOMAN OF VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER FOR MAY 2023 ROAD-RAGE FATALITY ON HIGHWAY 1
People v. Jenny Rebecca Lesch, 23CR005644
10/20/2025 4:18 PM
INJECTED ARTISTRY TO PAY $45,000 IN PENALTIES AND COSTS FOR FALSE ADVERTISING AND FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY ENGAGE IN GOOD FAITH EXAMINATION
People v. Injected Artistry inc. et al – Monterey County Case No. 25CV004576
10/20/2025 4:16 PM
SALINAS MAN FOUND GUILTY BY JURY OF ELEVEN COUNTS OF FORCIBLE LEWD ACTS UPON A CHILD UNDER 14 YEARS OLD
People v Pedro Vilchiz Quezada 24CR006175
10/17/2025 4:07 PM
SALINAS MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER
People v. Brian Molina, 22CR004839
10/10/2025 11:58 AM
INMATE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR MURDER OF FELLOW INMATE AT SALINAS VALLEY STATE PRISON
People v. John Joseph Lydon 25CR002192
10/10/2025 11:55 AM
Legal Typist - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Recruitment Open 10/8/25 through 11/9/2025
10/08/2025 2:57 PM
SALINAS MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, RESISTING AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AND HARMING A POLICE ANIMAL
People v. Jaime Hernandez Pompa, 25CR005793
10/06/2025 4:39 PM
Accountant II Recruitment Open 9/19/2025 Through 10/19/2025
10/02/2025 5:02 PM
Supervising Legal Secretary Recruitment Open 10/01/2025 through 10/31/2025
Recruitment Open 10/01/2025 through 10/31/2025
10/01/2025 12:20 PM
FORMER EMPLOYEE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR 1991 DOUBLE MURDERS AT THE SMITH’S RESTAURANT IN PRUNEDALE
People v. Ira Ulyesses Bastian, Case No. 24CR005280
09/24/2025 4:15 PM
CANNABIS COMPANY CANN TO PAY $115,000 FOR FALSELY ADVERTISING CANNABIS CONTENT
People v. SoCali Manufacturing, Inc., Monterey Superior Court Case No. 25CV004233
09/24/2025 2:40 PM
MAN CONVICTED OF VIOLENT SEXUAL ASSAULT IN 1989 DEEMED SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR BY MONTEREY COUNTY JURY
People v. Gregory Lavell Johnson, Monterey County Case No. MCR6874
09/18/2025 4:45 PM
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES $145,000 SETTLEMENT WITH ROMA DEL MONTE ASSISTED LIVING FOR FAILURE TO BACKGROUND CHECK EMPLOYEES, INADEQUATE STAFFING
People v. Roma Del Monte inc. et al – Monterey County Case No. 25CV004181
09/18/2025 4:23 PM
BOUTIQUE OWNER FINED $150,000 FOR SELLING ILLEGAL FUR PRODUCTS
09/18/2025 4:20 PM
JURY CONVICTS SOLEDAD MAN OF FELONY RESISTING AN OFFICER AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS
People v. David Fernando Hernandez, 25CR002188
09/18/2025 4:18 PM
SALINAS MAN SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS IN PRISON FOR 2007 RAPE OF A VICTIM WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
People v Salvador Zacharias, 23CR007229
09/12/2025 4:30 PM
SALINAS MAN SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS IN PRISON FOR 2007 RAPE OF A VICTIM WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
People v Salvador Zacharias, 23CR007229
09/12/2025 4:26 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