Governor Newsom appoints Deputy District Attorney Crystal Tindell Seiler as Judge of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court
Governor Newsom appoints Deputy District Attorney Crystal Tindell Seiler as Judge of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court

Governor Newsom appoints Deputy District Attorney Crystal Tindell Seiler as Judge of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court

Author: District Attorney
Date: 7/28/2023 4:19:04 PM

Deputy District Attorney Crystal Tindell Seiler, a Templeton High School graduate, has been appointed today by Governor Gavin Newsom to be the next Superior Court Judge of San Luis Obispo County.

Deputy District Attorney Crystal Tindell Seiler grew up in San Luis Obispo County and graduated from Templeton High School. She then went on to Stanford University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science in June of 2005 and a Juris Doctor in 2008. She has served as a Deputy District Attorney here in San Luis Obispo County from 2009 until 2011 when she transferred to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. While there she held numerous assignments and distinguished herself as an exceptional prosecutor.  During her recent tenure in San Luis Obispo County she has been assigned as a trial deputy, she assisted with litigation in the People v. Paul Flores trial, has been assigned appellate litigation, has assisted law enforcement, and has mentored less experienced prosecutors in the office.

“I am thrilled for Deputy District Attorney Crystal Seiler on her appointment to the Superior Court,” said District Attorney Dan Dow.  “She is widely respected and has earned an outstanding reputation from among her peers, the defense bar, and judicial officers. Ms. Seiler’s departure from our office will leave a large impact, but in this important new role as Judge she will continue to serve our community with excellence.”

 

Notable cases Deputy District Attorney Seiler has prosecuted through jury trial:

In March 2023, Seiler prosecuted the case of People v. Melissa Roseann Brewer in which the jury convicted Brewer for felony hit and run causing injury to a motorcyclist and four felony counts of insurance fraud and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving. Brewer was sentenced to serve four years and eight months in prison. Press Release here. 

Earlier this year, Seiler prosecuted People v. Skylar Marie Marshall for involuntary manslaughter of her husband on July 16, 2020. Evidence introduced in court indicated that Marshall pointed a loaded semi-automatic handgun at the forehead of her husband Mr. Hagist and pulled the trigger, killing him.  Marshall told San Luis Obispo Police officers she thought the gun was unloaded but was not “one hundred percent” sure when she pulled the trigger because she did not check the gun or magazine.  Marshall pled no contest to the charges and was sentenced to serve 2 years custody + 5 years mandatory supervision. Press Release here.

In May 2022, Deputy DA Seiler led the prosecution team in a jury trial People v. Lario Garcia Tugas where the defendant was found guilty of evading a peace officer with reckless disregard for the safety of others, driving a stolen motorcycle, and driving on a suspended license. The jury also found true that Tugas had been released from custody on bail when he drove the stolen motorcycle.  Press Release here

  • Crystal Seiler was sworn-in by District Attorney Dan Dow as a Deputy District Attorney in August 2021. Facebook post here.
  • District Attorney Dan Dow presents Crystal Seiler with her badge after completing her probationary employment period in February 2022. Facebook post here.