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About Charles
Biography
David Eyster assumed office as Mendocino County's elected District Attorney on January 3, 2011 for a four-year term. DA Eyster was the senior supervisor and lead trial attorney in the same office from 1984 to 1996.
Mr. Eyster, then the challenger, out polled the incumbent in the November 2010 general election by over 7 1/2 percentage points, making that election outcome the widest margin of victory of any contested local District Attorney election in at least the last 40 years.
During the 2014 election cycle DA Eyster's bid for re-election was unopposed. The last time an incumbent DA went unopposed in an election year in Mendocino County was in 1994, twenty years ago.
In 2016 DA Eyster was elected to serve a two-year term as a Director on the Board of Directors of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA). He has also served as the co-chair of the CDAA Asset Forfeiture Committee.
During the 2018 election cycle DA Eyster's bid for re-election was again unopposed. This makes DA Eyster only the fourth DA since 1859 to be returned by the voters to serve a third term as Mendocino County's chief law enforcement officer. DA Eyster was sworn into office to commence serving the current four year term on January 8, 2019.
During the 2022 election cycle DA Eyster's bid for re-election was again unopposed. This makes DA Eyster only the 2nd DA since 1859 -- and the first since 1950 - to serve a fourth term as Mendocino County's chief law enforcement officer. DA Eyster will be sworn into office to commence serving his fourth four-year in January 2023.
On September 29, 2022, the Governor signed into law AB 759, legislation that mandated a one-time term in office extension of two years for all California District Attorneys and Sheriffs elected in 2022. Thus, instead of having been elected to serve a four-year term in 2022, DA Eyster's 4th term in office will instead be a six-year term, beginning in January 2023 and running through December 2028.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 41 years
State: California
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Location
Mendocino County District Attorney
100 N. State Street, Ukiah, CA, 95482
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Charles David Eyster's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
5 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (5)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | July 21, 2010 | Litigation
Former co-worker
Worked with Mr. Eyster in civil litigation. Found him to consistently be one of the "go to guys" in the office. Extremely knowledgeable, assertive, enthusiastic - all around excellent attorney. He also represented me in a family law matter and was everything you would want in a layer - responsive,...
Posted by anonymous | February 05, 2009
I recommend Dave...he is Very Knowledgeable, honest, and straightforward
I worked with Dave Eyster on several different matters and he was outstanding. He was completely and thoroughly knowledgeable about the subject matter. He always took the time to make sure that I understood the issues and the approach we were taking to address them. He gave me clear and concise ad...
Charles David Eyster's Lawyer Endorsements
Christopher Neary
State, local, and municipal law lawyer | Jun 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"David Eyster is probably the most effective district attorney i have ever seen."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Eyster is a skilled attorney and a tough, no nonsense D.A. in Ukiah, CA. I had a case against him and I found him to be direct, fair and policy minded."
"David Eyster is a great mentor to learn from. He emphasizes looking at the big picture of each case and then plotting a strategy to achieve the desired result. He has a great deal of experience on both the criminal and civil side of criminal prosecutions."
"Mr. Eyster was a very knowledgeable criminal defense attorney when he was in private practice; and, he has been an excellent District Attorney for Mendocino County. I hope the voters of Mendocino County are wise enough to keep electing Mr. Eyster so long as he is willing to serve as our District Attorney."
"David Eyster is a determined, competent and strong-willed district attorney. If you are a victim of a crime David Eyster is the kind of prosecutor you want on your side. He is tough on criminals who deserve it and fair and just on everyone else."
"Dave is a fantastic attorney. He has taught me how to analyze cases strategically, bring them to trial quickly, and present them efficiently and effectively."
"As a Deputy District Attorney I worked against Mr. Eyster. He is an outstanding lawyer and always represented his clients to the highest standard possible. A few years later I was lucky enough to work with Dave on a couple cases. You couldn't ask for a better lawyer."
"David Eyster and I represented co-defendants on several cases when we were both working in the Sacramento area. I have met few attorneys who prepare as thoroughly or fight as passionately for their clients as David Eyster. He is a very professional lawyer and a very strong advocate."
"David Eyster is a fine lawyer with a great deal of experience. We have worked together on a number of cases and I know his representation to be most effective."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. David Eyster is an ex-prosecutor with many years' experience. I have found that being an ex-prosecutor gives a defense attorney good insights into what prosecutors want and how they think. This is very helpful in defending criminal cases. His qualifications are excellent, and is clearly well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. In working with him at the same firm for a period of several years, I found him to be attentive to his client's interests, and highly effective in his representation."
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Experience
Honors
2022
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2022
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2021
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2021
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2020
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2020
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2018
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2017
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2016
Exemplary Service Award, Redwood Empire Fair Board of Directors
2016
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Congressman Jared Huffman
2016
California Assembly Certificate of Recognition, Assemblyman Jim Wood
2016
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2015
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2014
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2013
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Superb (10 out of 10) Rating, AVVO.com
2012
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2007
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2001
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2000
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1999
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1998
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1995
Prosecutor of the Decade: 1985-1995, Mendocino County District Attorney's Office
1983
Certificate of Outstanding Service, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Int'l
1979
University of California Service Award, University of California at Santa Barbara
1975
Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
1974
Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America
1973
Wolfeboro Pioneers, Boy Scouts of America
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Elected District Attorney, Mendocino County
2016 - 2018
Director, California District Attorneys Association Board of Directors
2006 - 2010
Senior Trial Attorney, Law Office of Duncan M. James
2002 - 2006
Supervising Trial Counsel, The Chase Law Group
1998 - 2002
Senior Trial Counsel, Miller & Associates, LLP
1996 - 1998
Senior Counsel, Burger & Plavan
1996 - 1996
Deputy District Attorney, Lake County District Attorney's Office
1984 - 1996
Senior Supervising Deputy District Attorney, Mendocino County District Attorney's Office
1983 - 1984
Law Clerk, Kiernan & Finnegan
1981 - 1983
Law Clerk, United States Attorney's Office (Portland, OR)
1979 - 1980
Deputy Clerk, United States Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit
Associations
2011 - Present
California District Attorneys AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Mendo Lake Alternative Service, Inc.Board Member
2008 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitAdmitted
1997 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of CaliforniaAdmitted
1984 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1984 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaAdmitted
1984 - Present
Mendocino County Bar AssociationMember
2016 - 2018
California District Attorneys Association Board of DirectorsDirector
2000 - 2006
Placer County Bar AssociationMember
1998 - 2010
California Public Defenders AssociationMember
1996 - 2006
Sacramento County Bar AssociationMember
1992 - 1992
CDAA Master Trial Advocacy CollegeGraduate
1985 - 1996
California Welfare Fraud Investigators AssociationMember
1984 - 1996
California District Attorneys AssociationMember
1982 - 1983
Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity - Hall S. Lusk ChapterChapter Justice
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Thomas Dean Jones
Found guily by jury verdicts of murder in the first degree by means of a firearm with special circumstances of his stepson, and attempted murder in the first degree wtih a firearm of the stepson's husband.
People v. Ryan Joseph Maxstadt
Guilty of attempted murder of a California Highway Patrol officer with personal discharge of firearm, along with finding of willful, premeditated and deliberate
People v. Adam Michael Kendall
Guilty of attempted first degree murder and both sentencing enhancements
People v. Chrstine Kelly Kelsay
Perjury convictions resulting in state prison commitment
People v. Chrstine Kelly Kelsay
Guilty w/ Realignment county prison sentence
People v. Lorraine Kay Hunter
Guilty w/ jail and probationary terms
People v. Walter Kristopher Miller
Guilty of attempted first degree murder of a Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff with personal discharge of firearm
People v. Kim Lavalle
Guilty w/ jail and probationary terms
People v. Billy J. Norbury
Guilty and Sane, w/ sentence of 50 years to life
People v. Rose
Acquittal By Jury On All Charges
People v. Elliott
Acquittal By Jury Of Murder Liability
People v. Arreola
Acquittal By Jury On All Charges
Education
1983
Willamette Univ COL
Juris Doctorate
1979
Univ of California Santa Barbara
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
CDAA Winter Workshop
Post-Proposition 64 Marijuana Law Panel
2017
California Grand Jurors Association Annual Conference
Marijuana - The California Conundrum
2016
Vehicular Homicide & DUID Seminar
Legal Update - Changing Marijuana Laws
2016
Rural Counties Conference
Proposition 64 Tool Box
2016
Rotary Club of South Ukiah
Upcoming Changes in Marijuana Laws
2016
Leadership Mendocino XXIII
The Role of the District Attorney in the Criminal Justice System
2016
CDAA Winter Conference
New Medical Marijuana Statutes And Recreational Marijuana Initiatives
2016
7th Grade Guest Speaker
The Bill of Rights
2015
Willits Rotary Club
What's Been Happening In The Law
2015
Leadership Mendocino XXII
The Role of the District Attorney in the Criminal Justice System
2015
7th Grade Guest Speaker
The Bill of Rights
2014
Willits Rotary Club
How's The District Attorney Doing?
2014
Leadership Mendocino XXI
The Role of the District Attorney in the Criminal Justice System
2014
7th Grade Guest Speaker
The Bill of Rights
2013
Rotary Club of South Ukiah
State of the District Attorney's Office
2013
Leadership Mendocino XX
The Role of the District Attorney in the Criminal Justice System
2013
Community College Law Class Guest Speaker
Search and Seizure Law and Q&A
2013
7th Grade Guest Speaker
The Bill of Rights
2012
Unity Club of Anderson Valley
State of the District Attorney's Office
2012
Leadership Mendocino XIX
The District Attorney In County Government
2012
Junior College Class Guest Instructor
Advanced Evidence Collection
2012
7th Grade Guest Speaker
The Bill of Rights
2011
Radio Curious
The Power of the Prosecutor
2011
Leadership Mendocino XVIII
The Role of the District Attorney in the Criminal Justice System
1989
19th Annual CWFIA Training Conference
Statutes of Limitations
Publications
2017
The New York Times
Legal Marijuana Is Almost Here. If Only Pot Farmers Were on Board.
2017
The San Francisco Chronicle
Police crack down on black-market pot to protect regulated growers
2017
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Few pursuing Prop 64 benefits
2016
2016
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Willits woman guilty of embezzling almost $500,000 from Laytonville grocery
2016
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Another Voice: Ballot measure not really about public safety
2015
The Ukiah Daily Journal
DA says he had no contact with Pinoleville
2015
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Laytonville stabbing suspect agrees to plea-deal with 71-year prison term
2015
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Dollar Tree to pay $2.7 million settlement for illegal disposal of hazardous wastes
2014
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Ukiah woman sentenced for fraud, perjury
2014
The Willits News
Cannabis attorney calls pot laws "huge mess"
2014
The Willits News
Redwood Valley convict charged $100,000 in restitution
2014
The Anderson Valley Advertiser
Warrant On Trial
2013
Fort Bragg Advocate News
Christmas robber sentenced to life in prison
2013
Ukiah Daily Journal
Miller guilty on all counts
2013
The Anderson Valley Advertiser
Christmas In Prison
2013
Fort Bragg Advocate-News
Trial of man accused of shooting at deputy began Tuesday
2013
The Willits News
Guilty verdict in landmark Mendocino County marijuana trial
2013
The Anderson Valley Advertiser
Trial By Ambush & The Stealth Juror
2012
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Eight unlicensed contractors cited in DA sting in Mendocino Co.
2012
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Sentences extended for inmates abusing drugs and alcohol
2012
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
13-year prison sentence for Mendocino woman who set fire to kill self, disabled son
2012
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Fatal shooting by Mendocino deputy justified
2012
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Mendocino D.A. says medical pot growers should tag plants
2012
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Mendocino Co. Sheriff's Office reserve of $700,000 approved
2012
The Ukiah Daily Journal
DA launches 'lifer' tracking system
2012
San Francisco Daily Journal
DA whittles marijuana cases down
2012
The Anderson Valley Advertiser
Mendocino County Today: July 18, 2012
2012
The Ukiah Daily Journal
Editorial: Bassler Report Impressive
2012
The Willits News
Norbury gets 50 to life for murdering neighbor
2012
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
45 years to life sentence in Point Arena bank robbery
2012
The Anderson Valley Advertiser
The Night Jamal Died
2011
Lake County Record Bee
Man faces charges in two counties
2011
The Eureka Times-Standard
McKinleyville man receives life sentence in Mendocino case
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What is the page limit on points and authorities to be filed with a post-judgement motion in Sacramento Family Court?
17 Dec 2012
Q&A
459-460(a) PC F Burglary; first degree 10851(a) VC F Unlawful taking of vehicle How much time can be given for these?
20 Jul 2010