top of page

Thien Ho
An Experienced Prosecutor

Experience & Leadership:


Thien Ho has a 20-year track record as a prosecutor. As the Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney for Sacramento County, he has the experience and expertise to lead this office. 


Current Title: Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney for Sacramento County (2020-Present)

  • Executive Management for the Sacramento County DA’s Office

  • Supervise and direct the Justice and Community Relations Bureau

    • ​Manage all supervisors and attorneys in the following units: Justice, Training & Integrity; Post-Conviction Review; Lifer/Parole; Government Relations; Community Prosecution; Community Outreach and Media Outreach

  • Worked with the Sacramento Superior Court to develop protocols for conducting trials during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Developed an internal jury trial tracking system to more efficiently prepare for and litigate trials

  • Developed an electronic and paperless process to provide reports and evidence to defense attorneys

  • Developed and managed the budget for the District Attorney’s Office, which employs over 400 people


Prosecuted the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer Case (2018-2020)

  • Coordinated the successful prosecution of one of the most prolific serial killers and rapists in this country’s history

  • Joseph DeAngelo has been called the East Area Rapist, East Bay Rapist, Original Nightstalker, Visalia Ransacker and the Golden State Killer

  • He killed 13 people, sexually assaulted upwards of 50 women, and committed over 120 burglaries up and down the State of California

  • Joseph DeAngelo is now serving multiple life without the possibility of parole sentences

 

Supervisor of the Gangs, Hate Crimes and Major Narcotics Unit (2018-2020) 

  • Reviewed and filed crimes involving gang violence, hate crimes and major narcotic trafficking

  • Supervised attorneys prosecuting complex cases involving gang violence, hate crimes and narcotics

  • Provided training to law enforcement and prosecutors regarding violent felonies
     

Homicide Unit (2015-2018)

  • Vertically prosecuted homicide cases

  • Reviewed and charged homicide cases

  • Provided training to law enforcement regarding homicide law, procedure and the use of search warrants

  • Provided training to prosecutors regarding the litigation of homicide cases 

 

Gangs and Hate Crime Unit (2013-2015)

  • Vertically prosecuted complex gang murders, shootings, attempted murders, and other gang violence

  • Vertically prosecuted hate and other bias-related crimes

  • Provided training to law enforcement regarding gang violence prosecution
     

Lead Attorney, Misdemeanor Trial Team (2012-2013)

  • Assisted in the supervision of misdemeanor trial attorneys

  • Oversaw, developed and evaluated young prosecutors
     

Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit (2009-2012)

  • Vertically prosecuted adult rape cases

  • Prosecuted several serial rapists
     

Special Assault and Child Abuse Unit (2007-2009)

Felony Trial Team (2005-2006)
 

Juvenile Prosecution Team (2004-2005)
 

Misdemeanor Team (2004)
 

Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office (2004-Present)

 

Awards:
•    2017 Sacramento County Prosecutor of the Year Award
•    2017 National Prosecutor of the Year Award
•    2011 Sacramento Victim’s Services Award
 

Teaching:

  • Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at McGeorge School of Law (2006-Present) 

    • Award-winning professor

    • McGeorge’s Trial Advocacy Program is ranked in the “Top 10 in the Nation” (U.S. News and Review)

  • Instructor for the California District Attorneys Association (2011-Present)

  • Instructor for the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation (2019-Present)

​

Associations:

  • Member of the Legislative Committee for the California District Attorneys Association

  • Former Vice President of the Northern California Chapter of the National Asian Pacific Islander

Prosecutors Association

  • Sacramento County Bar Association

  • Asian Bar Association of Sacramento

  • Contract for Success

 

Education:

  • Juris Doctorate Degree from McGeorge School of Law (1995-1998)

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at U.C. Davis (1991-1995)

bottom of page