L.A.'s New D.A. Is Giving Petty Criminals A Pass
Californians are fantastic at making bad decisions. I mean look who they have leading them right now. Governor Gavin Newsom was the Lieutenant Governor for eight years before taking over as Governor in 2019 and they still have a massive homeless problem and are paying people to pick up human excrement off the sidewalks. So it should no surprise that California would have a new D.A. that wants to reform the criminal justice system by refusing to prosecute minor crimes.
"George Gascon, Los Angeles County's new head prosecutor, announced in a series of policy directives that many misdemeanor cases will be dismissed, saying that nearly half of those incarcerated on pre-trial misdemeanor offenses suffer from mental illness.
"Los Angeles County courts should not be revolving doors for those in need of treatment and services," one directive said."
As of Tuesday, many misdemeanor cases will be declined or dismissed prior to arraignment unless "factors for considerations" exist. The list of offenses includes trespassing, disturbing the peace, a minor in possession of alcohol, driving without a license, driving with a suspended license, making criminal threats, drug and paraphernalia possession, being under the influence of a controlled substance, public intoxication, loitering to commit prostitution and resisting arrest.
In addition, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty and those accused of misdemeanors and low-level felonies will be referred to community-based programs.
For juveniles, those accused of misdemeanors will no longer be prosecuted."
"The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, criticized the new policies Monday."
"...Victims and law-abiding residents lost a voice today while criminals and gang members gained an ally in the prosecutor’s office," the union's board of directors said.
So resisting arrest is no longer an issue and the death penalty is off the table. Are they trying to welcome criminals? But I guess this is just the level of incompetence that should be expected from California.