George Gascón Implements Sweeping Changes To Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office

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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón is sworn in accompanied, by his wife Fabiola Kramsky. During his inaugural speech, he unveiled a series of criminal justice reforms that impact how prosecutors in his office pursue convictions, sentencing and cash bail.

Bryan Chan/AP

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Bryan Chan/AP

Criminal Justice Collaborative
Newly Elected DAs Vow To Continue Reforms, End Policies Deemed Unfair

The LAist reports that Gascón faces both opposition to much of his agenda, namely from his own prosecutors and law enforcement officers he must work with, as well as an uptick in violent crime in LA County.

In what the publication describes as «perhaps his boldest move, he calls for the banning of sentencing enhancements, a step which could lead to the release of thousands of inmates.

Seeking longer prison terms for criminal defendants with past felony convictions or for those suspected of being in a gang had become a common practice among LA prosecutors.

On cash bail, Gascón said by Jan. 1 his office will unveil detailed plans to end the system of money bail «in its entirety.

According to a special directive effective Tuesday, prosecutors will now be instructed to ask the court for the criminal defendant’s release. Bail can still be considered at arraignment if the defendant is accused of a violent felony or sexual assaults.

He said cash bail disproportionately impacts minorities and low-income criminal defendants.

«[The new policy] will reinvigorate the presumption of innocence in Los Angeles County, he said.

On Election Day last month, California voters rejected Proposition 25, which was an effort to end the state’s system of cash bail.

The district attorney’s office will also no longer seek the death penalty in Los Angeles County and current cases with a judgment of death will be reviewed, with the ultimate goal of getting the capital punishment removed.

«The reality is the death penalty does not make us safer, it is racist, it’s morally untenable, it’s irreversible and expensive and beginning today it’s off the table in LA County, Gascón said.

«And it’s not just off the table going forward, I am committed to resentencing those currently on death row to life in prison.