Nathan Hochman is set to be sworn in as the Los Angeles County District Attorney on Tuesday, marking a pronounced shift away from the progressive policies of his predecessor George Gascón. Hochman, a former Republican and now an independent, has positioned himself as a centrist alternative to Gascón, campaigning with a promise to enforce the law impartially and firmly, while countering what some voters perceived to be a culture that was too lenient on crime during Gascón's tenure, CBS News reported.
As voters voiced their dissatisfaction at the polls, Hochman came out ahead, winning the election by a significant margin. The incoming D.A. has vowed to address concerns over public safety while avoiding a return to what he describes as "mass incarceration" policies. Hochman told CNN, "I reject both extremes and I favor a hard middle approach." His campaign has resonated in a city where, despite a reported decrease in homicides last year, public anxiety remains heightened around crime, partially driven by viral incidents of property crime.
The new district attorney inherits a mixed legacy from Gascón, who in his term enacted reforms such as no longer seeking the death penalty, curtailing use of sentencing enhancements, and stopping the prosecution of certain misdemeanors. Hochman however, has pledged to reevaluate such policies on a case-by-case basis, LAist reported. One notable policy change under Hochman will be the reintroduction of gang enhancements, which Gascón had virtually discontinued but which Hochman believes should be utilized in the appropriate cases.
An immediate test of Hochman's prosecutorial philosophy will arrive with the case of the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, convicted for the 1989 murder of their parents. Gascón had previously expressed support for their resentencing, citing new evidence suggesting their abuse by their father as a factor. "I believe that they have paid their debt to society," Gascón has stated. Hochman, however, approaches his review of the case with an "open mind" and commits to a thorough evaluation before making any decisions regarding their sentencing, as he conveyed in interviews with KTLA and other outlets.
Within the District Attorney's Office, the change in leadership to Hochman has been met with optimism by those seeking a fresh start. The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, representing the majority of line prosecutors, previously endorsed Hochman, signaling a preference for his approach to law and order, according to a statement obtained by LAist. Ryan Erlich, the association’s vice president, shared, "I’m excited about a fresh start," further reflecting a broader anticipation for a recalibration of prosecutorial strategies in Los Angeles County.
