“Today’s ruling makes clear that District Attorney Gascón cannot ignore the law or prosecutor ethics in his rush to impose dangerous so-called criminal justice reforms in Los Angeles County. "

 

The California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) commends the ruling by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant in favor of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for Los Angeles County (ADDA). 

CDAA filed an amicus brief supporting the ADDA in its civil lawsuit against District Attorney Gascón, believing his Special Directives violate the legal and ethical obligations of Los Angeles County’s deputy district attorneys. 

In his ruling, Judge Chalfant said, “A district attorney’s discretion is not unlimited. He or she must work within the framework of the criminal justice system.”

“Today’s ruling makes clear that District Attorney Gascón cannot ignore the law or prosecutor ethics in his rush to impose dangerous so-called criminal justice reforms in Los Angeles County. We are very grateful for Judge Chalfant’s thorough and thoughtful decision — a decision that we believe well serves the cause of justice and public safety,” said CDAA Chief Executive Officer Greg Totten.

CDAA is not a regulatory body and does not typically address policy differences among the 58 elected District Attorneys. However, CDAA believes it must act when policies implemented by an individual district attorney go beyond the exercise of discretion to contravene the state constitution and prosecutor ethics.

“We support true criminal justice reform, but you cannot simply dispense with existing laws that protect crime victims because you decide you disagree with them,” said Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney and CDAA President.

The California District Attorneys Association is a statewide training and advocacy organization representing elected district attorneys, city attorneys with criminal divisions, and more than 3,500 prosecutors, including deputy district attorneys in Los Angeles County.