As crime rises around the country, reform-minded district attorneys are under fire in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and elsewhere, writes Nick_Goldberg. (via latimesopinion)
and said he would allow minors to be tried as adults in certain cases. He then rescinded another policy, saying prosecutors could now in some situations seek life sentences without parole for murder defendants.Opinion ColumnistNicholas Goldberg served 11 years as editor of the editorial page and is a former editor of the Op-Ed page and Sunday Opinion section.Gascón’s travails are substantial, but at least he can take comfort in the fact that he’s not alone.
In New York City, newly elected progressive prosecutor Alvin Bragg is butting heads with the new mayor, Eric Adams. Bragg’s instruction to prosecutors in his office not to seek jail or prison time for defendants in any but the most serious crimes didn’t go over well with City Hall.It appears the most potent foil in the Los Angeles mayor’s race is Dist. Atty. George Gascón.
In Philadelphia, Dist. Atty. Larry Krasner was easily reelected in November, but in a race where opponents painted him asProgressive prosecutors have made their share of mistakes and, at times, have moved too quickly or in a tone-deaf way, often failing to explain their reforms to the public. But Gascón and his fellow reformers have started a policy discussion that badly needs to be had. They’ve made changes that can’t be judged successes or failures yet.
The move to undermine these elected officials or toss them out in the middle of their terms is too-often driven less by facts than by emotion, fear and vague perceptions about rising crime. Political pressure comes from law enforcement’s old guard — including police unions, rank-and-file prosecutors and crime victims’ groups — who are often pushing anecdotes rather than data, scare stories meant to encourage a return to the familiar, throw-away-the-key policies they believe in.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
More than Mardi Gras: The History of Creole Cuisine in Los AngelesFrom Harold and Belle’s to Uncle Darrow’s, a history of Creole food in Los Angeles
Read more »
Los Angeles Police Will Have To Justify 'Pretextual Stops' Or Face DisciplineOn Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Commission changed its policy on 'pretextual stops' requiring officers to justify why someone was stopped on their body cameras.
Read more »
Los Angeles police investigating dead body found on fire in shopping cartThe body of a deceased person was found on fire Tuesday morning in a shopping cart, Los Angeles police said.
Read more »
Los Angeles Lakers Sign D.J. Augustin, Waive DeAndre JordanThe Los Angeles Lakers have waived center DeAndre Jordan and signed veteran point guard D.J. Augustin and forward Wenyen Gabriel.
Read more »
Los Angeles County's indoor mask mandate could be lifted Friday, public health director saysLos Angeles County's much-debated COVID-19 indoor mask-wearing mandate could be lifted by Friday, according to the public health director.
Read more »