One of the things that the new Los Angeles DA has done is argue that juveniles are young when they commit offenses. Their brains are not fully formed, and they often don't understand the nature of their offense.
As such, we should consider this when we deal with them. When a juvenile commits a criminal offense under 18, instead of being tried as a juvenile in the juvenile system, they are being tried as adults in adult courts.
Specific programs in the juvenile system help minors with rehabilitation and get back in the community. Many cases are being taken to adult court.
Consequently, 16- —and 17-year-olds are being tried as adults and housed with adults. From the new DA's perspective, that is not good for anyone. Therefore, he's blocking his prosecutors from sending juveniles to adult court.
He's having them tried in juvenile court instead. This, combined with the probation office taking over juvenile cases in Los Angeles County, will significantly affect the prosecution and rehabilitation of juveniles.
Another issue that the head DA has indicated is how juveniles are going to get jobs in the future after they are convicted and punished as adults. Their records will be marked as adults, and their lives could be effectively ruined.
In response, he's made changes in the juvenile court. The issue is going to be how the judges in the juvenile court and the probation department will react.
Moreover, it will be interesting to see how the powers that control the juvenile court continue to reform that area of the law. The counterargument is that there are many dangerous juveniles committing very serious crimes.
Arguments Against New Juvenile Policies
Many argue that they have to be punished because there are victims. Their strong argument is, Wait a minute:
- What about the victims of these crimes that juveniles are committing?
- Why don't we consider them when we punish these people?
- When they are prosecuted, where are they going to be held?
- Where are they going to be held when they get punished?
That's a significant attack against the new prosecutor.
There's still a lot to be decided. However, major moves are being made in juvenile law in Los Angeles County. The shift seems positive for juveniles being prosecuted for criminal offenses.
Other Policy Changes by New District Attorney
Part of the new district attorney's platform and rule changes is that any current pending cases will be dealt with accordingly. As we move into 2021, many of these cases will be resolved. Number one,
- the new DA's has wiped out strikes, and
- special allegations, and
- has put a presumption that people should get probation in their cases.
That's one grouping of policies that will impact many cases that have been pending for two or three years. They have been tied up since the pandemic.
The other factor is that a load of cases is set for trial that is impossible for the district attorney's office and courts to try. There are too many of them, and they need more courtrooms or judges.
Furthermore, because of the pandemic, jury trials are taking longer. Picking a jury takes forever. Social distancing is a factor in how the jurors must be brought in and out of the court.
As we approach 2021, and many of these cases are looped over, we're going to see a mass resolution of cases. This is an opportunity for reasonable defense attorneys to take advantage and get their clients the best possible resolutions, especially with the new policies.
Best Criminal Defense Attorney for California Crimes
I am ready to help my clients. I'm dealing with a myriad of cases, and people are still being arrested and brought in. Most people don't realize that many people are getting arrested, and the prosecutors are not filing those cases. However, those cases are going to get filed.
They are not getting filed partly because of the lack of manpower and issues with overcrowding in jails and courts. I think the prosecutors, judges, and sheriff's department, which holds all the inmates in Los Angeles County, have agreed that they can only deal with the most severe cases.
Otherwise, they know they'll be overrun. Those cases are still looming. They are waiting until they can better handle the pandemic. When the time comes, I'll stand ready to help you. I've been doing this for almost 30 years. I know all of the ins and outs of the district attorney's office.
I know the judges and, of course, the defense world. Could you pick up the phone now and request a meeting with Ron Hedding? I'm ready to help you.
