A New Path to Success: Prosecutor-Led Reform in Youth Justice

FEATURING Samira Seidu & Fanny Yu

Episode Description

When a young person gets into trouble with the law, what if the first step wasn’t prosecution—but a second chance? In San Diego County, the District Attorney’s Office is leading a bold shift through the Juvenile Diversion Initiative, a program designed to reroute youth away from the justice system and toward real support. In this episode, Executive Director John Tuell speaks with Samira Seidu, Chief, and Fanny Yu, Deputy District Attorney, from the Juvenile Division of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to take you inside that effort—how referrals are made, what individualized plans look like in practice, and why collaboration with community partners is at the heart of its success. We’ll explore the outcomes they have sought to achieve, how impact is measured, and what’s been learned along the way.
SEASON FOUR: Episode Two| RELEASE DATE: September 30, 2025

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About the GuesTS

Samira Seidu

Chief, Juvenile Division | San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

Samira Seidu has been a deputy district attorney since 2009 and is currently Chief of the Juvenile Division. Samira’s previous assignments include Special Operations where she served as the Brady Index Coordinator, the Family Protection Division, where she tried domestic violence, child and sexual and physical abuse, adult sexual assault, and homicide cases. Samira has provided trainings in the areas of juvenile law, law enforcement discovery and impeachment, domestic violence and child abuse case investigations, and trial skills including closing argument, and direct and cross examination of witnesses.

Fanny Yu

Deputy District Attorney, Juvenile Division | San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

Samira Seidu has been a deputy district attorney since 2009 and is currently Chief of the Juvenile Division. Samira’s previous assignments include Special Operations where she served as the Brady Index Coordinator, the Family Protection Division, where she tried domestic violence, child and sexual and physical abuse, adult sexual assault, and homicide cases. Samira has provided trainings in the areas of juvenile law, law enforcement discovery and impeachment, domestic violence and child abuse case investigations, and trial skills including closing argument, and direct and cross examination of witnesses.