Los Angeles’s newly elected District Attorney George Gascon (D) announced widespread reforms to the county’s criminal justice system after taking office on Monday.
The former assistant LA police chief and San Francisco district attorney revealed a laundry list of misdemeanor crimes that would no longer be prosecuted by his department. Gascon justified this move with the notion that almost half of people incarcerated in misdemeanor cases have mental illnesses.
By Tuesday, his department declined to prosecute and dismissed misdemeanor cases that affect public safety unless “factors of considerations” are present.
So single women should beware, Gascon’s not concerned if someone trespasses on their property, not even if they make criminal threats. Despite posing a threat to motorists and pedestrians, driving with a suspended license or not possessing one at all isn’t an issue to his office.
Loud neighbors no longer need to care about being charged with disturbing the peace for out of control house parties, and if minors are drinking there, they don’t need to worry about getting time for possession of alcohol. In fact, juveniles shouldn’t worry about jail at all, the new DA won’t be prosecuting minors for any misdemeanors, nor will they be charged as adults. Under Gascon’s rule, offenders under 18, even those who commit low-level felonies, won’t face jail time, but will instead be referred to diversion programs.
Drug users and drunks can roam neighborhoods without fear, as being under the influence of a controlled substance and public intoxication are seemingly acceptable behaviors in LA, even if they’re caught holding methamphetamines and a crack pipe. They can freely threaten public safety along with the ladies of the night, who won’t be getting a longer rap sheet for loitering to commit prostitution.
If what’s left of the police force does manage to make an arrest — despite being stripped of $150 million in funding this July — when the lawful citizen formerly known as a criminal resists, they won’t face prison time for that either.
Once in lockup, LA’s finest new DA won’t seek bail from anyone charged with a misdemeanor, non-serious, or non-violent crime. Gaston plans to abolish cash bail altogether sometime next year, in spite of the millions of Californians that rejected Proposition 25 at the polls this year, which had the same goal at a statewide level.
Good luck, Los Angeles, the district attorney you elected is more interested in protecting criminals than serving law-abiding citizens.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AmericanActionNews.com.
The post Crime Without Punishment: LA’s New DA Will No Longer Prosecute These Offenses appeared first on American Action News.
from American Action News https://ift.tt/2LnUysb
https://ift.tt/eA8V8J