County DA Appoints New Chief Deputy

Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey S. Rosell is pleased to announce that Tara George will be appointed as the new Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office. George will replace Rob Wade, who retired last month after 32 years as a criminal prosecutor.

Tara George

George received her juris doctorate degree from the UC Hastings College of the Law in May 2004. In March 2005, she was hired as an Assistant District Attorney by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas.

During her time at Harris County, Tara successfully tried over 60 jury trials, including cases involving Murder, Rape, and Aggravated Robbery. She was assigned as the Chief Prosecutor for both Felony District Court and Misdemeanor County Court, as well as the Family Criminal Division and White Collar Crime Division.

Tara was hired by the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office in August 2013, under former District Attorney Bob Lee, and was initially assigned to both the Gang Unit and the Sex Crimes Unit. A few years later, she became the supervising attorney for the Felony Gang Unit and the Misdemeanor Division, while continuing to handle homicides and other serious cases.

District Attorney Rosell said, “Tara has been a driving force in our office since the day she started with us. She is highly respected both within the office, and outside the office, by not only the courts and law enforcement agencies, but the defense community as well. With Tara’s experience, insight, and intellect, we will continue our mission to ensure that public safety is our priority, and that victims of crime are well represented.”