It’s a real “Get Out of Jail Free” card.
Los Angeles County enacted new rules this week that immediately release nonviolent offenders back onto the streets instead of holding them in jail until their trials.
Critics of progressive policies say they are bracing for more of the smash-and-grab incidents that have hit big-name stores and mom-and-pop shops.
“This is a big problem, especially with chronic thieves like people involved in smash-and-grabs,” Eric Siddall, former vice president of the Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys Association, told The Post.
“It is indeed a ‘catch and release’ policy. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how good our law enforcement is, it doesn’t matter how quickly they respond. These people will not be held accountable.”
A new zero-warrant policy went into effect in LA County on Sunday. The city has recently been plagued by a series of smash-and-grab robberies Los Angeles County Superior Court’s new bail schedule is explained in court-provided graphics. LA County Superior Court
Under the zero-bail system, which officially came into effect on October 1, suspects arrested for non-violent and non-serious crimes are immediately released from custody without seeing a judge.
Most people arrested for non-serious, non-violent crimes can be cited and released at the scene or booked and then released from jail with an order to reappear in court for a hearing if charges are filed later.
However, Siddall said that since there are already 13,000 cases pending under the LA County District Attorney’s Office, most of these cases will most likely not proceed.
He added LA County DA George Gascón’s progressive policies go further than the new rules ordered by the court, so he doesn’t expect many of the suspects to face a judge.
“At least the court recognizes that there is a problem and they are trying to deal with it, but DA Gascón’s policy regarding bail is much more radical,” said Siddal. “The DA has basically abdicated our role in this whole process and said we shouldn’t have asked them at all.
“Gascón’s policy is not to ask for bail on non-serious and non-violent criminals. We are not allowed to ask for it at all.”
The new zero-warrant policy goes into effect in LA County on October 1st. The policy allows some criminal suspects accused of non-violent or non-serious crimes to be cited and released when they were previously held on bond. KTLAS Nearly 50 people wearing hoodies and masks descended on the Nordstrom at Topanga Mall in August and grabbed expensive bags and clothes before following them out. Critics of LA County’s new zero-bail policy say crimes like this will increase because suspects believe they won’t be charged.KTLA
LA County residents say they fear this could lead to an increase in crime.
“What if someone came in and tried to break into my house … but they didn’t harm me,” Silvia told local TV station KTLA. “I am angry because he is in my house. That’s not violence, right?”
Footage of large mobs taking over big-name stores like the one in August where about 50 people ransacked a Nordstrom at Topanga Mall during the day have become all too common across California.
City officials in 12 Southern California cities are also concerned by the new protocol and filed court papers last week in an attempt to block the no-bail policy from taking effect.
LA County previously implemented a zero bail system during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent jail overcrowding, but that policy was withdrawn a year ago.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Richard Luna (pictured) expressed concern about the new zero-warrant program.KTLA
During an LA County planning meeting last week, Supervisor Kathryn Barger said her office received calls from concerned citizens.
“Residents do not feel safe,” he said. “One only has to turn on the TV every morning and hear what happened the day before, whether it was a smash-and-grab, a carjacking, a burglary, an armed robbery … and people want to know how this will play out. crime in the streets.”
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna also spoke during the meeting and said residents will be the main victims.
“When they hear or see someone released immediately after an arrest, it has a negative impact on confidence in our criminal justice system,” he told the Board of Supervisors.
“If you can’t go to work because your car is stolen, and you realize that even if the person who stole it is caught, they’ll be released without bail before you can get your car back, you might question whether or not the system is fair.”
Senior Chief Officer Dean Joseph, who works at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Police Station on Skid Row, said the zero-bail policy would have an immediate impact on streets where drug violence and overdoses from the fentanyl-laced drug have increased.
“Criminals are once again told that there are no consequences for their actions and criminal charges,” Joseph said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
