One of the most progressive district attorneys in the country is facing more than a dozen challengers for re-election on Tuesday.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is facing 11 opponents in a nonpartisan primary, including prosecutors in his own office seeking to replace him.
Local prosecutors Jonathan Hatami and Eric Siddal will be in the ring for the Gascon fight, as will former federal prosecutors Jeff Chemerinski and Nathan Hochman.
A candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to win outright in the primary, an unlikely outcome with 11 candidates under consideration. Without a clear victory, the election will proceed to a runoff between the top two candidates in November.
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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón is running for re-election amid intense criticism and concern about crime. (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
Gascón has faced criticism from all quarters for disregarding public safety and failing to crack down on rampant crime.
Critics say state law, local ordinances and a reluctance to follow through on cases are major obstacles to restoring law and order in the city.
Los Angeles’ Country Zero bail rule goes into effect, prosecutors call ‘invitation’ to more crimes
Downtown Los Angeles skyline as seen from the city’s Pico Union District at dusk. (Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Under Prop. 57, approved by California voters in 2016, all minors convicted in adult court must undergo an additional trial in juvenile court to determine whether the individual should be tried as an adult. Must undergo a transfer hearing.
But in many cases, Gascón’s office chose not to participate The inmate will be released after a transfer hearing.
Zero dollar bail guidelines went into effect last year. los angeles county It also allowed the free release of suspects for a variety of crimes, including certain types of theft, assault, and vandalism, among other crimes.
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Two assailants allegedly fled after robbing a Rolex in Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Police Department)
Los Angeles County is facing an increase in brazen push-pull crimes affecting retailers, as these crime mitigation policies are criticized for contributing to the region’s crime crisis.
Prior to becoming District Attorney, Mr. Gascón served as San Francisco District Attorney and San Francisco Police Chief.
A former police officer, he also served as deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department and chief of police in Mesa, California.
Fox News’ Nikolas Lanum and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
