The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) for Los Angeles County led by Michele Hanisee, sued George Gascon over his new directives, arguing that they violate state law.
LA County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant issued a preliminary injunction blocking many of Gascon's reforms. Judge Chalfant called many of Gascon's policy reforms "unlawful".
The Association of Deputy District Attorneys put out this statement shortly after the injunction announcement:
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant ruled in favor of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for Los Angeles County (ADDA) in a lawsuit against District Attorney George Gascón. The ADDA brought a civil lawsuit against the District Attorney to seek a court ruling to clarify Deputy District Attorneys’ legal obligations in light of the District Attorney’s directives. It is not about the District Attorney’s beliefs on what criminal laws should be applied or not applied in cases.
The court ruled as we expected in holding that the District Attorney cannot order his prosecutors to ignore laws that protect the public from repeat offenders. As detailed in our reply brief, the court ruled that the District Attorney’s policy violated the law to benefit criminal defendants and ordered him to comply with the law. This ruling protects the communities which are disproportionately affected by higher crime rates and those who are victimized.
Michele Hanisse, President of the ADDA talked to John & Ken about what this Judge's decision means and it's implications on public safety in LA and surrounding counties.
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