Judge mulls DA union request to stop George Gascón from enforcing directives
By Bill Hetherman City News Service
PublishedÂ
Judge mulls DA union request to stop George Gascon from enforcing directives
The union representing LA County prosecutors urged a judge to issue a preliminary injunction stopping Gascon from enforcing some of his directives.
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The union representing Los Angeles County prosecutors urged a judge Tuesday to issue a preliminary injunction stopping District Attorney George Gascón from enforcing directives eliminating three-strikes allegations and some sentencing enhancements, but a lawyer for the county s top prosecutor said that would thwart the will of voters who elected Gascón.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials will attend parole hearings in the absence of prosecutors who aren’t allowed to show up under District Attorney George Gascón’s administration, according to Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
In a letter to Gascón Wednesday, the sheriff said that if deputy district attorneys will no longer be allowed to attend the hearings, “The LASD will do everything possible to give victims a voice at the table to address their concerns” despite “the lack of funding and resources in my department.”
Villanueva said department officials will attend virtual parole hearings or have investigators travel to in-person hearings, as well as continue to write letters in opposition to the administration’s policy.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge said Tuesday a decision in the case of the union for county prosecutors against District Attorney George Gascón could come by the end of the week, after hearing both sides of the argument.
Judge James C. Chalfant held a preliminary injunction hearing at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in L.A., where attorneys for the union argued that such a hearing was appropriate to help prevent deputy district attorneys from “violating the law.” The lawsuit argues that it was illegal for Gascón to issue what they deemed as a blanket rule that prohibits prosecutors from seeking sentencing enhancements under the Three Strikes law.
by Jody Armour
California’s three strikes law has done 28 years of damage to our state. In the wake of the tragic murder of Kimber Reynolds in 1992 and Polly Klaas, in 1993, Californians understandably found themselves wracked with fear for their safety and for that of their children. We did not, however, take a long, hard look at what we could do to prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and truly and effectively support victims, as we should have. Instead, we listened to the claims of law enforcement unions and elected officials who insisted that they could only ensure security by locking up people with criminal records for as long as possible.
Special circumstance charges dropped against accused gang member and double murderer under Gascón reforms
Special circumstance charges dropped against accused gang member and double murderer under Gascon reforms
A Mexican Mafia gang member who is accused of double murder is getting special charges dropped against him as part of DA George Gascon s policy changes.
BALDWIN PARK, Calif. - As part of his new reforms, District Attorney George Gascón has dropped gang enhancements and special circumstance allegations against a Baldwin Park gang member charged with murdering two young men at his home, then carjacking a vehicle to transport their bodies to the desert, where he dumped them.