L.A D.A. Gascón Made Strides in Prosecuting Police. Would a Hochman Win Change That?
A Look at the Candidates' Records
In the race for Los Angeles County district attorney, incumbent George Gascón and challenger Eric Hochman have very different records when it comes to prosecuting police officers.Gascon's Record
Under Gascon has charged more police officers than any other district attorney in L.A. County history. He has also created a new unit to investigate officer-involved shootings.
In 2020, Gascon charged two Los Angeles Police Department officers with murder in the killing of Breonna Taylor. He also charged a former deputy with manslaughter in the killing of Andres Guardado.
Hochman's Record
Hochman has pledged to be tough on crime, including police misconduct. However, he has not released any specific plans for how he would do so.
Hochman has also criticized Gascon for being too lenient on criminals. He has said that he would seek the death penalty in more cases and would not offer plea deals to violent offenders.
The Candidates' Views on Police Reform
Gascon has been a vocal supporter of police reform. He has called for more transparency and accountability from law enforcement agencies.
Hochman has said that he supports some police reforms, but he has also criticized Gascon for going too far.
The Implications for the Election
The outcome of the election could have a significant impact on the way that police misconduct is investigated and prosecuted in Los Angeles County.
If Gascon is re-elected it is likely that he will continue to aggressively prosecute police officers who break the law.
If Hochman is elected he may take a more lenient approach to police misconduct. He may also be less likely to pursue criminal charges against officers.
