Understanding the New Los Angeles District Attorney's Bail Policies and Their Potential Impact on Your Case
The new DA's position on bail is interesting. For the most part, he has instructed the deputies to argue to the judge that the bail should be zero, which would wipe out bail bondsmen.
They wouldn't be able to operate anymore if all of the bonds go to zero. However, he's implemented this change in the middle of the pandemic where the bails are already at zero. There are some exceptions to his bail rule and the pandemic bail rule, which applies to serious cases, such as:
- murder cases,
- sex crime cases, and
- violent felonies.
Those are not part of the zero bail argument. Again, he's going to need the cooperation of his deputies. His deputies can tell the judge that they've filed the charge with the understanding that the statutory bail is a certain amount but that their boss is making them argue that it should be zero.
In turn, the judge could say that they don't care what their boss says and ultimately set the bail to statutory bail.
As such, the DA will need his deputy district attorneys throughout Los Angeles County to support his policies and enforce them effectively, regardless of whether they agree with them.
Some Prosecutors are Blocking New Policy
I've had a number of cases where the prosecutor was proceeding to the judge in an ineffective way to get the policy implemented, and they blocked the policy.
In fact, I've seen some prosecutors actually cite the judge, the authority to block the policy. Of course, if the DA knew that they were doing that, they'd probably be fired or at least reprimanded because they're not implementing his policy. Instead, they're taking moves against it.
Right now, it needs to be clarified where everything is going to land. However, if you have a criminal case in Los Angeles County, you need someone like me, who's been doing this for 27 years, now more than ever.
It would be best if you had someone who's worked for the district attorney's office and knows their politics. Who's also worked for a superior court judge as his right-hand man.
I know how judges deal with the various issues that come before them, like this no-bail issue policy and the other new policies that the district attorney has implemented.
My name is Ron Hedding; pick up the phone. Make the call now. Take the first step towards protecting your rights. Do everything you can to get out of the criminal justice system as fast as possible.
Anticipating Further Changes Under the New Los Angeles District Attorney's Leadership
This is an interesting time. This is the first time in almost 30 years that I've seen drastic changes happen. I worked for the district attorney's office in 1992 when Gil Garcetti beat Ira Reiner, and I saw the sweeping changes that took place. These changes can significantly impact the criminal justice system, affecting how cases are prosecuted and defended.
Namely, they knocked out all of the power brokers in the DA's office who were placed with Garcetti's people. Now, this new DA has implemented his policies from the start, and he's been able to see the results of that implementation.
He's seen how his deputies and judges have responded. Subsequently, I think there are going to be big changes. In order to effectively implement these policies, he will need to put people in charge of the various courthouses who are on board with them.
If he is successful in putting people in charge who agree with his policies, they can tell the deputies to follow suit. If they don't, they could be written up for insubordination or terminated.
Based on the reaction I've seen in court since his new policies came into effect, many prosecutors are going to quit. I've already seen many prosecutors disregard the policies that have been implemented.
Criminal Defense Attorney for California Crimes
I've had to remind some of the prosecutors about the policy, even the one power that the defense has; the defense can take it up to the chain. A district attorney's office is like a big corporation.
If the prosecutor is not implementing the policy, and there have been three directives, I can challenge the prosecutors. As a defense attorney, I have the authority to go to their supervisor to deal with it, or they can go up the chain to the next level of authority. This process ensures that the policies are being followed and that the rights of the accused are being protected.
That's the weapon that defense attorneys have when trying to get the benefits from this new policy. In my opinion, he's going to try to implement these policies. He may even go further, depending on who he's talking to in his own office and from the defense bar.
The pendulum has switched to the people, to the defense. As a result, we have to take advantage of this and help these people who are being charged with crimes and who have families, lives, jobs, and futures. They need to be protected.
Hedding Law Firm is a top-rated criminal defense law firm located at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436.
