A new top prosecutor was sworn in Tuesday in one of California's most progressive cities, pledging a “hard-center approach” to Los Angeles to change rampant crime and lax prosecutorial policies.
Nathan Hockman has been sworn in as the new Los Angeles County District Attorney after ousting his predecessor, District Attorney George Gascon. Hochman defeated the incumbent by pledging to be tougher on crime while also rejecting mass incarceration.
“There are only two things a district attorney should have as a north star: the facts and the law,” Hochman told supporters Tuesday. “I'm concerned about the extreme policies across the board on both sides of the pendulum swing, including incarceration policies that predetermine that certain crimes or certain offenders will not be prosecuted, and mass incarceration that has no basis in fact and law. I reject the policy.”
Throughout his campaign, Hochman emphasized his “strong centrist approach,” saying, “The voices of Los Angeles County residents have been heard, they have had enough of George Gascón's policies, and we look forward to a safer future.” I'm doing it,” he said. ”
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Nathan Hochman, an independent candidate for Los Angeles County District Attorney, speaks during a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damien Dovarganes, File)
The 61-year-old former federal prosecutor, who ran as an independent candidate to become state attorney general as a Republican in 2022, was sworn in alongside former Republican Governor Arnold at a ceremony held in front of the Hall of Justice at noon local time. Schwarzenegger taking the oath.
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“We are here collectively as Angelenos seeking to live in a county where safety is paramount,” Hochman said prior to the ceremony.
Nathan Hockman (R) greets former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after Hockman was sworn in as Los Angeles District Attorney in front of the Judicial Hall on December 3, 2024. (Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
Hochman's victory promises a new era of crime policy in liberal Los Angeles. Hochman vowed to “restore the purpose of the District Attorney's Office to fairly, effectively and vigorously prosecute lawbreakers in Los Angeles County based on the evidence and the law.”
Hochman also said he would “restore the integrity and independence of district attorneys by making decisions based solely on the facts and the law, not on party affiliation or political ideology.”
Nathan Hochman and his wife Vivian Vera will be sworn in as Los Angeles District Attorney by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in front of the Hall of Justice on December 3, 2024. (Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
First day's promise:
On his first day, Hochman pledged to do everything in his power to restore law and order.
- He promised to restore “prosecutors' ability to pursue sentencing enhancements for defendants who used a firearm in the commission of a crime or whose crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.”
- He also lifted the city's ban on prosecutors from attending parole hearings on behalf of relatives of rape and murder victims if the perpetrator is seeking early release from prison. I promised.
- He also promised to repeal a ban on charging juveniles with misdemeanors for stealing merchandise valued at less than $950.
Hochman said his biggest goal as the new district attorney is to focus on organizing a task force to address the most important issues that are the cause of many residents' frustrations. The task force will address homelessness, fentanyl addiction, human trafficking, hate crimes, organized retail crime, home invasions and more.
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“This isn’t going to get kicked down the road anymore,” he said. “The Prosecutor’s Office works with federal, state, and local law enforcement, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to address issues that significantly impact public safety and quality of life for residents throughout the County.” We are planning to find a solution.”
clock:
The new top prosecutor will start her term in style with a bang, tasked with reinvestigating the high-profile case of married couple Eric and Lyle Menendez. The brothers, who are serving life sentences without parole for killing their parents with a shotgun in 1989, are seeking release after their lawyer claims new evidence shows they were sexually abused by their father. Waiting for the desired verdict.
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In the run-up to the election, Gascón announced he would support re-prosecuting the brothers, but a judge last week postponed ruling on the matter until January.
