At the recent Rotary Club of Beverly Hills luncheon, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman outlined the key developments in his office since he took office in December 2024.
Hochman discussed rebuilding trust with prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims as one of his primary objectives.
He noted that upon his arrival, the legal environment was fraught with dysfunction, primarily due to policies implemented by his predecessor, George Gascón.
“When I came into office on December third, there was a significant need for repair in the criminal justice system,” Hochman explained.
A striking statistic he shared revealed that 98% of the prosecutors in his office had previously supported a recall of Gascón, indicating widespread discontent among staff.
Hochman pointed specifically to the directives enacted by Gascón on his first day, which limited the prosecution of certain crimes and criminal enhancements.
These directives included changes related to sentencing for juvenile offenders, gang enhancements, and specific firearms enhancements.
In a move to reestablish confidence, Hochman rescinded all nine special directives, empowering his team to utilize their prosecutorial expertise fully once again.
“These prosecutors bring, collectively, thousands of years of experience to the job,” he emphasized.
He made it clear that he trusts their discretion, urging them to use their tools wisely and effectively.
Hochman also sought to clarify his position on criminal justice policy, indicating his preference for a balanced approach.
He described this stance as aiming for what he termed “the hard middle,” rejecting both progressive decarceration strategies and the extremes of mass incarceration.
Instead, Hochman emphasized his intent to analyze each case individually, prioritizing public safety while also considering the backgrounds of defendants and the effects of crimes on victims.
During his term, Hochman identified six priority areas for his office to focus on: fentanyl poisoning, homeless crime, human trafficking, hate crimes, residential burglary, and organized retail theft.
He identified fentanyl poisoning as a critical issue, remarking that it poses a grave danger to individuals aged 18 to 45.
Organized retail theft, particularly smash-and-grab operations, was also spotlighted as a significant concern.
To combat this, Hochman has already enacted Proposition 36, allowing repeat offenders of certain crimes to be charged with felonies rather than misdemeanors.
He assured the audience, “You won’t be caught and released; you’ll actually have to go and be booked through the system and held on bail… We have 1,200 felony prosecutions that have been brought under Proposition 36 so far.”
In the Q&A portion of the luncheon, Hochman was pressed for his office’s perspective on recent federal immigration enforcement efforts, specifically concerning deportation actions.
He clarified that local law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office do not collaborate with federal immigration enforcement, outlining that his office is not informed about federal activities.
Hochman commented, “They pick and choose how and where they’re going to engage in this immigration enforcement and don’t engage us at all.”
He elaborated on the impact of federal operations, citing recent protests in downtown Los Angeles that arose following ICE raids, which put local law enforcement in precarious situations.
“Local law enforcement was in charge of dealing with protests involving hundreds of thousands of people, but a small minority took advantage of the situation to commit crimes,” he noted.
The lack of coordination between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement operations, as Hochman indicated, has left law enforcement agencies in a difficult position.
In conclusion, Hochman’s address not only highlighted his immediate goals as District Attorney but also underscored the broader implications of changing policies affecting community safety and resources.
Meanwhile, newly elected Rotary President Julian Gold, M.D., expressed his excitement for assuming leadership of the club at this event.
Studded with remarks about the club’s admirable reputation, Gold remarked, “I’m very excited to be the president,” as he began his term in front of an audience that included Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
The luncheon signified a convergence of community leadership and legal insights, heralding ongoing discussions around public safety and judicial reform.
image source from：beverlyhillscourier
