Crime policies are a major point of contention among residents in California. Now, the newly-elected Los Angeles County District Attorney plans to get rid of what he calls a “pro-criminal” blanket stance by the current DA. Incoming Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman said he’ll go after low-level, nonviolent crime.
He said his first tasks will include an increase in gang-related sentencing, allowing prosecutors to file juvenile charges more freely and having prosecutors attend parole hearings with victims’ families so they can help argue against the release of convicts.
Hochman told The Associated Press he wants to reverse the culture maintained by his predecessor George Gascón.
“I want to send a message to criminals that basically the lines will be enforced again,” Hochman said. “They will be done in a proportional way. A common sense way.”
“A way that rejects extremes: both the extreme that we’ve been living with of decarceration, which says that certain crimes and certain criminals will not be prosecuted no matter what the facts and the law are- as well as the extremes of mass incarceration,” Hochman continued. “I reject both extremes.”
Hochman said he also wants to look at solutions that don’t involve filling up jails such as court-mandated drug treatment, community service, and restitution.
New plans for Mendendez brothers case
Among the multiple issues Hochman is taking on from Gascón, arguably the most notable is the Menendez brothers murder case.
In October, Gascón called for the release of the brothers after 35 years in prison for the murders of their parents.
Hochman now wants to review all the evidence as he questions the timing of Gascón’s decision so close to the election.
“If you decide this case based on just reviewing a Netflix documentary you’re doing a disservice to the Menendez brothers, to the victims family members and to the public,” Hochman told ABC News. “There’s a cloud over that credibility. Is it a just decision, or was it just a political ploy? There will be no cloud over whatever decision I do.”
Gascón denies his decision was politically motivated, saying he based his decision on a thorough understanding of the case.
Hochman takes office Dec. 2.
