Los Angeles County is poised to officially end its controversial zero-bail policy Thursday, which has brought suspects back to the streets awaiting trial. The decision comes as District Attorney George Gascon, who is in jeopardy, could be reelected this fall due to the crime stream in the Los Angeles area.
The zero deposit policy will expire at the close of business on Thursday, according to an internal email received by Breitbart News. Prosecutors will now be able to seek bail for defendants charged with misdemeanors and misdemeanors, who would be released under the old rule of $0.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office did not respond to Breitbart News’ request for comment.
Under a zero-bail policy, prosecutors are barred from seeking bail for most misdemeanors and petty crimes, including the robbery riot that has gripped Los Angeles County in recent months. This policy was introduced in mid-2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the official way to reduce the county’s prison population.
Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Jason Armond; Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times; Valerie Macon/Getty Images
The policy remained in place even as the pandemic subsided. Some accuse George Gascon, now District Attorney, of showing his calm approach to criminal justice reform, which includes a plan to remove all bail money from the county.
“Bail money isn’t fair because it’s not safe,” he said. “It can destroy families and weaken our communities.”
The result was a massive increase in crime in Los Angeles, with thefts increasing 18 percent and armed robberies increasing 44 percent in the city of Los Angeles this year.
According to Breitbart News, Gascon announced in May that it was removing its bail waiver policy for defendants.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Supreme Court told Breitbart News that the May announcement had nothing to do with the zero deposit policy that was removed this week.
George Gascon, whose campaign in the DA was supported in part by left-wing billionaire George Soros, is facing a recall aimed at removing him from office. So far, the petition has garnered 566,857 voter signatures, and organizers say it’s enough to put the recall to the vote for the next election.
“The campaign is currently focused on collecting as many additional signatures as possible to provide the necessary reserve to close the Registrar’s mistakes,” organizers said in a statement this month. “The goal is to eventually send 650,000-700,000 signatures, or more if possible.”
Hollywood’s liberal influencers also joined the effort to remember Gascon. Show business liberals who donated to the recall campaign include studio executive Mike Medavoy and his wife, Irene Medavoy; Oscar winner slang producer Grant Heslov; and according to documents obtained by former 20th Century Fox executive and producer Jonathan Scheinberg Los Angeles magazine.
Source: Breitbart
