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Zimmer in the News

California wins $3.5M payoff in illegal gambling lawsuit

“For years, Pong has flouted California law and flooded our state with illegal gambling devices, profiting off of the harm done to some of our most vulnerable communities,” Kern County District Attorney Cynthia J. Zimmer said in a statement.

Kern County DA, countywide law enforcement officials raise awareness, honor domestic violence victims

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer started the event by acknowledging domestic violence impacts women and men, regardless of their social class, race or religion.

CA district attorney on crime wave: 'Everything has gone wrong in California'

Cynthia Zimmer explained 'victims are suffering' as Gavin Newsom releases thousands of violent felons back into the streets.

Kern DA Cynthia Zimmer Visits TehachaPod to Talk Crime

Cynthia Zimmer the District Attorney from Kern County came to Tehachapi to talk to the TehachaPod crew about crime in Kern County and how it relates to our community.

Kern County DA Cynthia Zimmer: KCSO received support throughout US after deputy Campas' killing

Cynthia Zimmer said since she’s been Kern County District Attorney, there have been 17 times that someone tried to kill a peace officer.

Governor Gavin Newsom targets retail theft in California, D.A. says gun violence is the bigger issue

Zimmer believes there are bigger problems to worry about. “We see an enormous amount of theft in Kern County and throughout the state. We see theft there but we would like to hear from the governor in how he wants to address the shootings and homicides that are in California.”

Human trafficking victim speaks out; DA looks to create task force to help others like her

“We're going to be working very hard to make human trafficking, and the conviction for human trafficking, a strike offense — that is a serious or violent crime,” Zimmer said. “Hopefully, the California Legislature is ready to do something.”

California sues major US nursing home operator over ratings

The suit was led by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, who said in a statement that when nursing home companies break the rules, “they create environments that subject the most vulnerable among us to unnecessary victimization, stress, and even physical harm.”

An appeal for justice

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer offered her support and condolences at the vigil. "It's a loss to the family," she said. "But it's also a loss to the community."

Mayor gathers residents to discuss safety in city

Zimmer talked about how the pandemic has changed the county. She asked that everyone stand up for victims and provided the DA's number (661-322-4040).

Kern DA's Office resists state's request for criminal charges in restaurant cases

"But so far, at least, the D.A.'s Office has chosen not to pursue criminal charges. It cites a number of reasons for this reluctance, from its hesitation to go after lower-level employees to a desire to prosecute only the most flagrant repeat offenders."

Protests Spurred Slew of Criminal Charges

Zimmer said civil unrest in Kern was not as bad as elsewhere in the state or nation but that it still came at a cost.

Kern County DA warning against unlawful activity ahead of Inauguration

"Criminality directed toward any side of the political landscape will not be tolerated, and criminal consequences will follow illegal activities. Political protests are not a license to commit crimes," DA Cynthia Zimmer said.

Kern DA Zimmer announces support of lawsuit against Los Angeles DA

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer on Tuesday said she supports a lawsuit filed against Los Angeles DA George Gascon for policies she said harm crime victims and will have impacts in Kern and other counties.

COMMUNITY VOICES: LA DA George Gascón has an offer no criminal can refuse

I pray for victims in LA who are being abandoned by their district attorney and oppose nearly every policy for which Gascón stands. Criminals hoping for Gascón-style treatment in Kern County can stop holding their breath because it's not going to happen under my watch.

Kern DA: ‘Astronomical’ unemployment fraud hits close to home

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer spoke from her office during a December 2019 interview. A massive unemployment fraud scandal throughout California has hit home in Kern County, where about 4,000 inmates received $16 million during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In my nearly four decades as a prosecutor in this state, I have never seen fraud of this magnitude,” Zimmer told The Associated Press.

Scams led California to send COVID jobless benefits to Scott Peterson, death row inmates

Dist. Atty. Cynthia Zimmer of Kern County — which has five prisons, the most of any county in California — called the scope of the scams shocking. Zimmer said her office had found about $16 million in allegedly fraudulent claims in her county alone.

National First Responders Day: Answering the call

At the District Attorney’s Office, we have a unique perspective on the ways that first responders hold our community together every day. In reviewing evidence for trials, we hear the panicked voices of 9-1-1 callers desperately crying out for help.

COMMUNITY VOICES: Yes on Prop 20: Hold violent and repeat offenders accountable

Propositions 47 and 57 were part of what supporters called “criminal justice reform” and were intended to reduce penalties for so-called nonviolent crimes; however, both were deeply flawed.

Breaking the Cycle of Gang Violence Episode 5: Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer

“In the last seven years our county is not as safe as it once was,” Supervising Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer told 17 News.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving presents awards to local law enforcement officers

“Drunk driving crashes inflict injury and horrific losses to our community without warning, and oftentimes without remorse,” Zimmer said. “I am proud to be a part of recognizing the service of all of the law enforcement officers in our community to ensure there will be no more victims.”

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer expresses frustration towards pending CDCR releases

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer has been no stranger to expressing her frustration towards the pending release of nearly 8,000 inmates by the California Department of Corrections.

Community rallies for slain teen

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer filed charges against Cruz and will personally prosecute him. Cruz's first degree murder charge includes four special circumstances that include kidnapping and sexual assault, which can carry the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted.

DA Cynthia Zimmer responds to CDCR release of convicted felons

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer rebuked the continuing actions of CDCR, stating: “Governor Newsom has made clear time and time again his intent to fill our communities with violent felons. He has repeatedly issued commutations for convicted, notorious killers, and now has opened wide the floodgates for violent felons to be released into our streets. Rather than implement policies that make our prisons safe, he has chosen to use the pandemic as an excuse to intentionally cripple the criminal justice system and single-handedly overrule sentences set by hundreds of judges across the state under laws approved by the People. The Newsom administration’s continuing actions are a dereliction of his duty to the citizens and laws of California.”

COMMUNITY VOICES: We will not be intimidated

Today’s politically charged, social media-driven atmosphere has resulted in a rash of instant judgments fueled by partial, misleading or outright false information. The role of the District Attorney demands that I, and those in my charge, reject this phenomenon and continue to act independently and judiciously when deciding whether criminal charges are appropriate in any given case.

One of the Bakersfield 3 is accused of murdering the other in first major break in the case

"Our dedication to solving this case never wavered," Zimmer said, giving credit to the district attorney's investigators and the Bakersfield Police Department for their investigative work. "We want to remind the public that our mission is to never stop searching for answers on every homicide case in Kern County."

DA’s Office: Looting charges important tool keeping crime under control during pandemic

“Criminals that prey on our community when it is at its weakest will not be tolerated,” Zimmer said Tuesday. “We have aggressively focused on keeping dangerous and repeat offenders in custody despite the statewide zero-bail mandate for their release.”

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer breathing new life into solving Kern County's oldest cases

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer ran for office making reducing violent crimes and solving the county's coldest and oldest her top priority. In just under a year her office has secured two major victories in the fight to win cold cases.

DA investigating alleged mismanagement of taxpayer money by Kern County Fair officials

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer confirmed Monday her office is looking into allegations of mismanagement of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars by senior officials at the Kern County Fair.

Inside Kern County's plan to reduce homelessness by jailing misdemeanor drug offenses

Kern County law enforcement agencies are working to enact a new policy that would lead to stricter punishments for some convicted of low-level crimes.

DA and mayor release statement supporting proposition intended to reduce crime

Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer and Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh announced their joint support Friday for a proposition to reduce “unintended consequences” due to recent changes in the law.

COMMUNITY VOICES: We applaud the District Attorney's Office

Last week, Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced that her office and six other prosecutors’ offices across California obtained a $4 million settlement with Renovate America, Inc., also known as the HERO Program, which provides Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.

COMMUNITY VOICES: Proposed law allowing convicted felons to be on criminal juries advances in state Legislature

As we continue to address the fallout from last year’s laws, new proposals are now advancing in the Legislature that, if passed, would further hobble a criminal justice system that is becoming unrecognizable to that which provided decades of falling crime rates. One such proposal, Senate Bill 310, would allow convicted felons to serve as trial jurors in criminal and civil cases.

Man convicted of torture for beating women with golf clubs, baseball bat

“No one should be forced to endure domestic violence, and I honor all those with the courage to help bring domestic abusers to justice,” District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a news release.

Eastside Rapist' denied appeal, life sentence remains in place

An appeal filed by Billy Ray Johnson, also known as the "Eastside Rapist," was denied by the Fifth District Court of Appeal Thursday. District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer was the prosecutor on the case.

District attorney warns Kern County residents of illegal price gouging following earthquakes

Kern County residents are being warned by District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer about illegal price gouging or charitable solicitation fraud following last week's earthquakes just outside of Ridgecrest.

March honors victims of violent crimes and their loved ones

“Today’s march is a reminder that victims of crime will not be forgotten, and it is an opportunity for those of us in public service to rededicate ourselves to pursuing justice in every case,” District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said. “Survivors, we honor your strength and your courage, and we want you to know that you are not alone.”

Death penalty supporters in Kern decry governor's suspension of executions

Kern County Districy Attorney Cynthia Zimmer speaks at a press conference from her offices Wednesday in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement that he has placed a moratorium on the executions of 737 death row inmates in California.

Barring teens from adult court is unconstitutional, judge says

"This is an important step in our effort to fight back against Sacramento's over-reaching policies that put lives in danger," Zimmer said in a press release. "We will continue to fight to ensure that any who commit serious and violent crimes receive appropriate sentences."

Watch these people make their marks in 2019

Why she bears watching: Her priorities go beyond merely prosecuting crimes; the new DA wants to halt and reverse Sacramento liberals' efforts to decriminalize or reduce the penalties for many offenses.

Two convicted in 2001 murder of Rosamond woman get life sentences

“It’s so satisfying to see a cold case solved and a conviction received. So many families don’t get this kind of justice because the majority of our cold cases are not solved,” said District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, who decided to personally prosecute the case. “I hope it gives hope to those who are out there that we can do this — we just need the public’s help.”

Kern County Voter’s Guide: District Attorney candidate Cynthia Zimmer

When Cynthia Zimmer got her start with the Kern County District Attorney’s office 34 years ago, California faced many of the same challenges that threaten criminal justice today.

District Attorney Race: Zimmer hopes to ‘roar like a lion’ if elected

“In the last seven years our county is not as safe as it once was,” Supervising Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer told 17 News.

Paid for by Zimmer for Kern County District Attorney 2022

Paid for by Zimmer for Kern County District Attorney 2022