Porterville native Now Assistant District Attorney
District Attorney Tim Ward is pleased to announce the promotion of career prosecutor Robert Dempsie to the position of Assistant District Attorney.
Dempsie, a native of Porterville and a Monache High School graduate, has served with the Office of the District Attorney for 30 years and fills the position left open by the Honorable Kerri Lopez, who was appointed to the Tulare County bench this summer.
Robert began his county service in 1988 as a prosecutor and was promoted to Supervising Deputy District Attorney in 1997. Robert has supervised the Visalia General Felony Team, the Juvenile Team, the Misdemeanor Team in Tulare, the Porterville Team, the Special Operations Team in Visalia, and the Administration Operations Team.
Robert is a 1983 graduate of the University of California at Davis and received his juris doctor from the University of Santa Clara in 1986. Robert has consistently served as the coordinator for community projects such as the District Attorney's involvement in the annual March of Dimes “March for Babies” event, as well as the Advisory Board Chair for the Granite Hills High School Law, Justice & Ethics Academy.
Robert was awarded Prosecutor of the Year honors by the Porterville Exchange Club in 1995 and by the Visalia Knights of Columbus in 1998. He has also served as a board member for Family Services of Tulare County and The Family Crisis Center in Porterville.
“Robert is a true statesman and ambassador for this office. I cannot imagine another person here who has more passion for the well-being of their community. I have always sought his counsel, and will continue to seek his counsel on the many pressing issues this office faces on a daily basis. Those who live and work in our county should be very proud have Robert in this position,” said District Attorney Ward.
As Assistant District Attorney, Dempsie will oversee general prosecution teams in Visalia and Porterville, the Juvenile Division, and the Victim Services Division.