Los Angeles County’s newly elected district attorney is making good on campaign promises and quickly moving to make radical changes in the criminal justice system.
District Attorney George Gascón, who defeated incumbent Jackie Lacey, immediately took action on criminal reform policies Monday right after being inaugurated. The controversial former San Francisco district attorney has raised the ire of law enforcement and even some Democrats who worry about his vows to take people off death row, eliminate cash bail and focus more on rehabilitation than prison.
The 66-year-old, who immigrated from Cuba at 13, defeated Lacey, the first woman and first black person to head the office, in a campaign that supported by wealthy donors, including billionaire George Soros.
Gascón, who formerly served as an LAPD officer, immediately let it be known that he has “profound intolerance” for dishonest officers.
(Source: CBS News Los Angeles)
“Those who engage in unconstitutional policing have severely hindered the standing and safety of us all,” he wrote in an open letter to Los Angeles police officers, according to KNBC-TV. “We are all scarred by their misdeeds, leading many in our communities to perceive police as persecutors instead of protectors.”
He went on to detail some of the sweeping changes he plans to implement, reiterating that his office will not seek the death penalty in any cases. Accused suspects with misdemeanors and “non-violent, non-serious” felonies will be released on their own recognizance while those accused of certain serious or violent crimes will have no cash bail requirements.
Gascon is creating a use of force review board to take a look at police shootings going back to 2012, and has decided to reopen four cases so far. No longer prosecuting juveniles as adults. Will be looking to resentence at least 20,000 people sentenced under Jackie Lacey. @FOXLA
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) December 7, 2020
The new district attorney, who had multiple sexual harassment complaints filed against him during his tenure as an LAPD officer, noted that hundreds of people now behind bars would be eligible “to be freed tomorrow.”
Juveniles will not be tried as adults, no matter the crime and a greater emphasis will be placed on rehabilitation instead of jail and prison.
“We will, for example, divert rather than prosecutor many low-level first-time offenses due to the collateral consequences and destabilizing nature of a criminal conviction,” he wrote.
There are currently 215 people on CA’s death row from LA County alone.
An astonishing 85% of them are people of color.
The death penalty does not make us safer. It’s racist, morally untenable, irreversible, and expensive.
And today, it’s off the table.
— George Gascón (@GeorgeGascon) December 7, 2020
“You can expect that I will work to reduce incarceration and punishment except in those circumstances in which punishment is proportional, is in the community’s best interest, and serves a rehabilitative or restorative purpose,” Gascón added and also pledged to eliminate sentencing enhancements.
Enhancements, a legacy of the “tough-on-crime” era, are a principal driver of excessive sentences & mass incarceration.
CA enacted over 100 enhancements which are outdated, incoherent, & applied unfairly.
To end mass incarceration in LA we will cease filing ALL enhancements.
— George Gascón (@GeorgeGascon) December 7, 2020
He told officers that he plans to consider all evidence, and that “there will be neither sacred cows nor sacrificial lambs.”
“You can expect that I will work to reduce incarceration and punishment except in those circumstances in which punishment is proportional, is in the community’s best interest, and serves a rehabilitative or restorative purpose,” he noted.
Four cases involving police shootings that were previously closed will be reopened, Gascón pledged.
I have already pledged to re-open four fatal officer-involved shootings.
My office will now convene a Use of Force Review Board to review fatal use of force cases dating back to at least 2012.
We must hold police accountable to restore trust in law enforcement.
— George Gascón (@GeorgeGascon) December 7, 2020
“The pursuit of justice is timeless and that’s why these policies will be applied retroactively. At least 20,000 people currently incarcerated in prison will now be eligible for consideration for resentencing,” he noted.
At least 50% of all persons sentenced to state prison from LA are rated low-risk to reoffend by prison officials.
95% of individuals who have served 20 years or more are rated low-risk to reoffend.
These excessive sentences are NOT making us safer.
— George Gascón (@GeorgeGascon) December 7, 2020
“For decades those who profit off incarceration have used their enormous political influence–cloaked in the false veil of safety–to scare the public and our elected officials into backing racist policies that created more victims, destroyed budgets, and shattered our moral compass,” Gascón said. “That lie and the harm it caused ends now.”
Taken together these sweeping reforms are intended to permanently change the course of CA’s criminal justice system & end the era of mass incarceration in Los Angeles & beyond.
But stay tuned. There’s more to come.
— George Gascón (@GeorgeGascon) December 7, 2020
As progressives cheered the drastic new changes being announced, many others worried how much further left Los Angeles will go.
And endorsed by Kamala Harris, who wants Gascon’s policies nationwide.https://t.co/9FaTKJeZtY
— Murphy Fowles (@FowlesMurphy) December 8, 2020
Who keeps voting in these people? Not the same ones throwing up their arms in exasperation and moving to other unsuspecting states (to vote the same way), I hope!
— melvis ಠಿ_ಠ (@wxmel) December 8, 2020
God help us🙏
— ticky ticky puff puff (@MZLAN1) December 8, 2020
Well this should attract an awesome element to LA county.
— MarianMaiden (@AngelKissed777) December 8, 2020
Entire west coast is now ruled by soros. Coming soon to a state near you
— onlio (@onlio6) December 8, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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