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Prosecutor's Union Sues New DA George Gascón Over Justice Reform Efforts
L.A. DA George Gascón (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The union representing L.A. County prosecutors is suing to stop justice reform efforts proposed by new District Attorney George Gascón.
Gascón wants to stop seeking prior felony conviction enhancements for things like gun possession, gang membership, and violation of the "three strikes" law.
He argues those enhancements unfairly lengthen a person's sentence.
Gascón spoke on our newsroom's public affairs show, AirTalk, which airs on KPCC:
"These are people that have campaigned very aggressively against every criminal justice reform in the last eight or nine years," he said of the prosecutor's union. "There is no question that moving away from a system that's been deeply embedded in incarceration has created political and monetary incentives for people. It's hard for people to move on."
"This is really driven, according to Gascón, by these gang and gun enhancements, by the three strikes law, by this drive over the past three or four decades to lock people up [for] longer and longer. He's not just seeking to address mass incarceration, but to address these racial disparities."
"It's unethical," he said.
The prosecutor's union (the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for L.A. County) argues Gascón's order violates state law.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
READ MORE ABOUT LA'S NEW DA:
DA Gascón's Push For Shorter Prison Terms Runs Into Resistance From Judges, Prosecutors
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LA's New DA George Gascón Ushers In Sweeping Changes, Less Punitive Approach to Crime
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