Mario Trujillo presented with Access to Justice Award

From left: Ferias Legals President Ricardo Perez; Cory Trujillo; Mario Trujillo; Kaitlyn Trujillo); Gabriel Trujillo, and Ferias Legales Executive Director Maria Torres.

DOWNEY — Ferias Legales, a Downey based non-profit organization that provides free legal services to the community, honored local prosecutor Mario Trujillo last Friday at the Rio Hondo Event Center.

The organization presented Trujillo with the "Access to Justice" Award for his work on behalf of the community.

The occasion marked the organization’s anniversary celebration and highlighted the accomplishments of its volunteers. One-hundred judges, attorneys, and elected officials convened to celebrate and honor the night’s award recipients.

Defense Attorney Gustavo Barcena was also honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award" for his attorney career spanning over 40 years.

Trujillo was lauded as a dedicated public servant with over 23 years of experience as a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County. He has tried over 115 jury trials, including 22 homicide cases, with an overall 92% conviction rate.

His last trial assignment was with the Hardcore Gang Division, which prosecutes the most serious gang-related murders. He also served as a felony prosecutor in the Victim Impact Program, handling emotionally charged and sensitive cases involving the physical and sexual abuse of children as well as Domestic Violence

Cases. He is currently assigned to the Early Disposition Program (EDP) at the South East Norwalk courthouse. Apart from his trial experience with the District Attorney’s Office, Trujillo has also served as a special assistant in the administration of the office and in management as a deputy in charge of the Bellflower office with jurisdiction over eight southeast cities.

In addition to his career as prosecutor, Ferias Legales highlighted Trujillo’s passion for community service and civic involvement. He was president of the Los Angeles County Mexican American Bar Association (MABA) in 2009, and president of the California La Raza Lawyers Association (2010). He rose to the rank of Lt. Governor with Kiwanis International, and has served on the boards of the Downey YMCA, MABA PAC, Latino Prosecutors Foundation, Community Lawyers, Inc., the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the HONOR PAC.

Trujillo was an Associate Instructor of Law at Southwestern Law School, working with the Trial Advocacy Program and was recognized by the South East District Bar Association as the 2011 Attorney of the Year.

In his acceptance speech, Trujillo admitted that his proudest role is being the father of three wonderful children.

Ferias Legales is a Downey-based non-profit organization focused on delivering free services to underserved communities and increasing diversity in the legal field. The organization holds free Citizenship Clinics in partnership with Downey Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco.

The next Citizenship Clinic will be held on Nov. 16 at the Barbara J. Riley Community Center in Downey. For inquiries about the Citizenship Clinic or about the Ferias Legales services, please contact Executive Director Maria Torres at mtorres@feriaslegales.org.