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In an effort to provide insight on legal issues impacting the community, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has started a podcast called “Cross-Examination”.

The podcast will focus “on depth and detail, wrapped up in engaging discussions,” the DA’s office said Monday. “‘Cross-Examination’ aims to unpack the complexities of the criminal justice system, shine a light on important public safety topics, and foster transparency in law enforcement as it applies to residents in Contra Costa County.”
The debut episode features District Attorney Diana Becton conversing with hosts DA office’s spokesperson Ted Asregadoo and deputy DA Brian Feinberg.
The goal is to “explore the vital role of the district attorney’s office in seeking justice, maintaining public safety, and balancing these responsibilities with the need for reform,” according to the DA’s office.
Other episodes will dive into timely and relevant topics like retail theft.
Chief of inspectors Arnold Threets shares insights from real-world cases and discusses crime prevention strategies, while criminologist Dr. Samuel DeWitt examines how media coverage influences public perception of crime.
“Cross-Examination” will later feature a behind-the-scenes look at crime reporting with veteran journalist Henry Lee, from KTVU television, who discusses the challenges of covering crime stories in a fast paced, social media-driven environment.
The DA’s office said it’s providing a way for the public to gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system from multiple angles.
“I think podcasts about the kind of work our local government does — especially the district attorney’s office — will be beneficial in building trust by fostering stronger community relations through deep discussions about issues related to public safety.” Becton said.
“Cross-Examination” is available now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and other podcast platforms.
— Story by Tony Hicks, Bay City News Service
Editor’s note: A prior version of this story included an incorrect department logo. An image for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which produces the new “Cross-Examination” podcast, has been added as a replacement. Embarcadero Media Foundation regrets the error.



