For Immediate Release
March 17, 2021
Contact: Keith Sterling
ksterling@beverlyhills.org
714-600-0952 mobile
Beverly Hills City Council Votes No Confidence in
LA County District Attorney George Gascón
Beverly Hills, CA – In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday evening, the majority of the Beverly Hills City Council adopted a resolution of a vote of no confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. Mayor Lester Friedman and Councilmember Lili Bosse requested that the item be brought forward for discussion.
“Safety and security is job one,” said Mayor Friedman. “By disregarding the actions of criminals, we are undermining the work of our women and men in law enforcement. The laws which DA Gascón is ignoring were democratically passed and need to be enforced.”
Since being sworn in, Mr. Gascón has issued numerous Special Directives and two subsequent amendments which have raised concern among many residents of Beverly Hills. The three Special Directives of specific concern to the City include:
Special Directive 20-06: Pretrial Release Policy, which eliminated cash bail for any misdemeanor, non-serious felony, or non-violent felony offense.
Special Directive 20-07: Misdemeanor Case Management, which lists numerous misdemeanor charges that will be declined or dismissed before arraignment and without conditions unless “exceptions” or “factors for consideration” exist.
Special Directive 20-08: Sentencing Enhancements/Allegations, which provides that the following sentence enhancements or sentencing allegations shall not be filed in any cases and shall be withdrawn in pending matters: Any prior-strike enhancements, including the Three Strikes Law; STEP Act enhancements (also known as “gang enhancements”); violations of bail; and firearm allegations.
The Council discussions and vote may be viewed at the following links:
March 16, 2021 - 2:30 p.m. Study Session
March 16, 2021 - 7 p.m. Council Meeting and vote
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