California county D.A. announces he can’t afford to prosecute misdemeanors anymore
posted at 7:10 pm on April 24, 2009 by Allahpundit
Emphasis on announces. I’ve read this piece three times and can’t convince myself that I’m not missing something obvious that makes it all perfectly rational. Surely if a D.A. were forced to turn his district into a free-fire zone for certain crimes, he wouldn’t broadcast to the public what those crimes are.
Right?
The decision not to go after any perpetrators of certain offenses, Grove said, amounts to “holding up a sign and advertising to the criminal element to come to Contra Costa County, because we’re no longer going to prosecute you.”
Don’t even bother submitting the cases, Kochly said Monday in a memo to the Contra Costa County Police Chiefs Association. “If they are submitted, they will be screened out by category by support staff and returned to your department without review by a deputy district attorney,” he wrote…
Supervisor John Gioia, who represents Richmond, said the list of crimes that Kochly says he won’t prosecute is far longer now than what he told the board during its budget deliberations.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for the chief prosecutor in the county to inform the public at large what cases they’re not going to prosecute,” Gioia said…
Kochly said prosecutors will still consider charging suspects with certain misdemeanors, including domestic violence, driving under the influence, firearms offenses, vehicular manslaughter, sex crimes and assault with a deadly weapon.
Also among the offenses he won’t prosecute, according to the following clip: Grand theft and hit and run. Seriously, what am I missing here? Click the image to watch.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Try throwing out your illegal aliens. They are leaching you dry!
HornetSting on April 24, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Yup. I live here, could not believe it when it first came out.
Criminal invasion will happen as word gets around. Stupid move by yet another stupid CA office holder.
Voidseeker on April 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM
If they can just keep them all in California and not let them wander the country, I don’t give a damn if they prosecute no one.
rplat on April 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Whose down for some petty crime! Bus leaves soon.
Joe Caps on April 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM
I wonder how many people flocked to their local gun shop after hearing that.
darwin on April 24, 2009 at 7:16 PM
He’s probably just grandstanding hoping he’ll get more $$ out of it or something. He can’t refuse to back the RSA’s.
jeanie on April 24, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Strange, strange times indeed.
Weight of Glory on April 24, 2009 at 7:18 PM
FREE VARS FOR EVERYONE!
Holy cow! How much is auto insurance going to be in Contra Costa County?
Branch Rickey on April 24, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Heck. Might as well just do away with the police force too.
BowHuntingTexas on April 24, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Do we have to play guess the party here or are we going to have a surprise and find out he’s a Republican?
Tabris on April 24, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Branch Rickey on April 24, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Where exactly is the cost of trying X number of cases?
Everyone in the court from recorder to judge are salaried and are going to be there anyway.
Dr. ZhivBlago on April 24, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Don’t misdemeanor fines generate revenue?
thomasaur on April 24, 2009 at 7:22 PM
At the end of the video the DA’s quoted as not being the guy initially making the info public. Seems to me it was an internal memo that was leaked.
Still probably stupid not to keep that info very closely held. But I don’t read it that he was deliberately trying to make the info public.
beancounter on April 24, 2009 at 7:22 PM
this is by the earthly nirvana of san francisco. there’s no crime around there anyway, so accusing people would just be too judgmental
billypaintbrush on April 24, 2009 at 7:22 PM
If I was a thief, I would head right over to his house and start helping myself to some of his stuff.
Kjeil on April 24, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Attorney time is the main expense of prosecuting a case.
Cicero43 on April 24, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Well, shit-o-rama! I live in CoCo county! I have no intention of dealing with this shit. The county can cram it up its ass as far as I am concerend. The hard part if up us.
sdillard on April 24, 2009 at 7:27 PM
OK, Fire him. He just showed every criminal in his jurisdiction his hand. Dumb and inept. If I lived there I would leave ASAP. My Home & Loved ones deserve better.
Fire him now and save the taxpayers his undeserved salary.
Was Coward part of his job description?
old trooper2 on April 24, 2009 at 7:27 PM
So California has given up on it’s socialist utopia dream and skipped right to anarchy.
I imagine it’s probably a felony to shoot someone who’s perpetrating a misdemeanor on you, your family or property?
gwelf on April 24, 2009 at 7:28 PM
The only way that this makes sense is if they cut him off right before he said, “so we’re going to turn a blind eye to vigilante justice…”
gwelf on April 24, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I think this is indicative of what’s been happening across the board in all levels of society for years now.
Nobody takes responsibility for anything because the people in charge of most things don’t know what they’re doing. They’re incompetent.
People have always been incompetent and always will be. That’s a fact of life that will never change. What has changed is that achievement and excellence is no longer valued. Worse than not being valued, it’s resented. So those people, who have always risen to the occasion to overcome and compensate for the incompetence of others, are ignored at best and vilified at worst.
There are probably a few prosecutors in that office, who if given this challenge would come up with a solution. But they were probably never even considered, much less asked.
Jaynie59 on April 24, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Yeah. Court fees too. I don’t get it. They don’t go to jail, they pay fees and fines for going to court.
SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN. There’s gotta be a pot smoking libertarian among us that knows about this!
Joe Caps on April 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Might consider prosecuting SEX CRIMES?? Im a woman, and I would be terrified to live in that county.
heatherrc77 on April 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM
He’s probably hoping more people will offend and they can increase revenue by handing out tickets…
lexhamfox on April 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Shoplifting is going to go through the roof.
Bishop on April 24, 2009 at 7:30 PM
+100
Joe Caps on April 24, 2009 at 7:31 PM
He’s just grandstanding for money. In California they have felony vehicular manslaughter and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter which is really there by the grace of God go you. It’s m.s. without gross negligence, eg., you make a left turn and don’t see the motorcycle coming and he dies.
Blake on April 24, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Even though Contra Costa County has a gang problem, it is a very law and order county and the prosecutors are tough.
Blake on April 24, 2009 at 7:33 PM
LOL….Looks like Snake is moving to Contra Costa.
Limerick on April 24, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Where is this county exactly? Can somebody give me the address of a Best Buy there?
joe_doufu on April 24, 2009 at 7:34 PM
“Kochly said it wasn’t political”
What a load of garbage, he’s just pissed he has to work 35 hours a week for his 150 grand a year and is throwing a temper tantrum.
lowandslow on April 24, 2009 at 7:34 PM
“Currently, the District Attorney’s Office reviews 20,000 misdemeanor complaints and files 11,000 cases annually. District Attorney Robert Kochly told the Board of Supervisors that the Recommended Budget would allow for only “core” misdemeanors to be prosecuted and stated that 45% of misdemeanors that would normally be prosecuted would no longer be reviewed or filed.
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/index.asp?nid=203”
So, that’s about 5000 crimes per year he doesn’t want to prosecute.
Terry_Dyne on April 24, 2009 at 7:35 PM
I propose that prosecutors are paid piece-rate on cases and eliminate their salaries thus creating competition in the DA’s office and an increase in performance.
thomasaur on April 24, 2009 at 7:36 PM
News Flash! Crime rate going up in Contra Costa County. Would be interesting to know what the crime is today, so we can compare it to next month.
Tommy_G on April 24, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Whose down for some petty crime! Bus leaves soon.
Joe Caps on April 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Drunk Driving, Domestic Violence, Sex Crime, Firearms Violations, and Vehicular Manslaughter are hardly ‘petty crimes’, Joe.
….
The D.A.’s position is an elected political position. I’m guessing that with the California ‘Special Election’ coming up in the next few weeks, he’s on Governator’s Shwantzinegger’s ‘Dream Team’ and doing everything he can to scare the hell into people so they vote for the 1A-1F props. ‘Vote for higher taxation and we can protect you again’ rubbish probably, without actually stumping for the aye votes and imposing taxation oblivion on Californians.
It’s probably just a matter of time before we’ll be seeing similar B.S. from other California politicians whose pockets are filling with lint instead of green backs on the run-up to the vote.
SilverStar830 on April 24, 2009 at 7:38 PM
“Politics: Contra Costa County has become a Democratic stronghold, with even wealthy cities like Orinda and Walnut Creek voting Democratic in recent elections.”
“County budget problems: Two forces have combined to create county budget problems peaking in 2008. First, (over a thirty year period) rather than compensate police, medical, and firefighting personnel directly, very favorable health and retirement benefits were granted without proper actuarial examination, leading to unexpected (yet predictable) high costs as personnel age and ultimately retire with continued “first class” health and retirement benefits. Second, the collapse of the “housing bubble” has enabled purchasers of distressed properties (many of which are owned by banks and other mortgage holders) to petition for lower property assessments, in many cases reducing by half the revenue to the county for specific parcels.”
From Wiki but probably accurate. So under the leadership of Democrats/Socialists, entitlements are bankrupting the government. Imagine that.
lowandslow on April 24, 2009 at 7:39 PM
If the way to stop drug related crime is to legalize drugs, lets just legalize theft, sex crimes, and assault with a deadly weapon while we are at it.
pedestrian on April 24, 2009 at 7:39 PM
If the laws are still on the books, then they can still be enforced via citizen complaints. This is a step back towards common law, which I say is a very good thing.
Do some reading on common law and see if you all share my view. Especially note that common law was the law that governed most of this country west of the Mississippi River until the early 20th century. Common law juries determined the facts AND the law.
Ergo, no such thing as legal technicalities.
platypus on April 24, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Good call.
Shoplifting is definitely one of those misdemeanors that won’t get prosecuted.
Just make sure you have no prior theft related convictions, and that the item(s) are less than $400 in value. Otherwise, it’s a felony in California.
SilverStar830 on April 24, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Richmond is great place to stay the hell out of.
This DA has probably already lost most of his hair.
Speakup on April 24, 2009 at 7:41 PM
At what point do we actually stop and begin to look for the disease instead of throwing our hands up when we have no more money to treat the symptoms?
jimmy2shoes on April 24, 2009 at 7:44 PM
2009
The age of enlightenment!
TOO MUCH information!
By all means,broadcast it,for the thugs!
canopfor on April 24, 2009 at 7:46 PM
That doesn’t make sense. In order for theft, sex crime, and assault you have to have a victim.
V-rod on April 24, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Follow the money, is he getting kick backs from:
1. Employers of Illegal aliens?
2. Local Drug King? (lay off my corner dealers)
3. The Joker and Penguin?
I think this is preemptive CYA
- The Cat
MirCat on April 24, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I propose a bounty on thiefs, pervert and degenerates, and thugs. That way the bad guys can fear the law abiding citizens for a change.
thomasaur on April 24, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Ding ding ding!
Winnah!
BallisticBob on April 24, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Ya, cause who gives a sh*t about the people that live in Ca right???? Oh wait that’s my entire family. Nice suggestion genius
SoxNation on April 24, 2009 at 7:50 PM
LA has a different approach: If the victim lives, it’s filed as a misdemeanor.
Blake on April 24, 2009 at 7:52 PM
My wife’s family too. But who, exactly, is forcing ‘em to stay in Camp Granola?
platypus on April 24, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Me thinks,if your a thug,and you already have two strikes against you,Contra Coasta County might be your free strike
three,postponement to jail ticket!!
canopfor on April 24, 2009 at 7:55 PM
platypus on April 24, 2009 at 7:53 PM
What’s your suggestion, that everyone pick up and leave because some A-hole won’t do his job?
SoxNation on April 24, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Those of you criminally inclined should not get a boner. This is a common practice among public employees: Announce that you can’t perform your job unless you increase their budget.
They are seriously trying to get rid of Prop 13 or go around it by changing the law to a majority vote to increase taxes. Now, they need a 2/3 vote to rob you.
Blake on April 24, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Not my suggestion – it’s already real.
U-Haul truck from SF to Texas – $3000.00
U-Haul truck from Texas to SF – $300.00
They have to pay people to drive empty trucks to California, where there is a three month waiting list.
platypus on April 24, 2009 at 8:11 PM
My initial thoughts, too, but they probably don’t have the leeway to lean on fees as much as we’d like them too. Other counties in California can be vicious in prosecuting lesser crimes than those here, so there should be some plan for systematic rebalancing rather than the chaos we now seem to see.
calbear on April 24, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Yay for transparency!
Sir Corky on April 24, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Time to drop my pants and moon Hollywood in broad daylight. Maybe urinate on select stars in the “walk of stars”.
Daemonocracy on April 24, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Bingo.
Infidoll on April 24, 2009 at 8:33 PM
I wasn’t super keen on Giuliani for President. But I wish he could be some kind of modern-day federal marshal; like they had in the days of the Old West — wading into towns like this and cleaning them up.
logis on April 24, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Whoo- Hoo! Thank you Orange County!
*lights a blunt*
justfinethanks on April 24, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Just sounds like the time honored democrat tradition of threatening to cut back on essential services, to scare the people into accepting tax hikes.
OneEyedJack on April 24, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I think he’s trying to get more money from the legislature. I can’t blame him. People call the cops for everything today (school fights, bad food at McDonalds, etc.) So there’s a huge volume of cases going through the system. Liberal and conservative legislators have been criminalizing more actions and making the penalties tougher for existing crimes. Now they have to fund the “criminalize everything” monster they’ve created.
bigbeas on April 24, 2009 at 9:38 PM
p.s. It sucks for that community. Some things, even misdemeanors, really do need to be prosecuted.
bigbeas on April 24, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Of course the problem is almost never the law itself, but the lack of enforcement.
The only polling call I ever got was one where the first question was “Do you believe that criminal statutes in this state should be tougher?”
I said, “No.” And the minimum wage ‘tard actually tried to ARGUE about my answer; he finally just hung up on me. I seriously doubt anybody told him to do that – ’cause if he were going to do that, then why wouldn’t he just make up the numbers and save on the phone bill?
But this is the moonbat mindset: just pass more and more laws, and all of our problems will melt like little lemon drops in a warm summer rain.
logis on April 24, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Richmond, California is already a free-fire zone. All the business has moved away, any family that can move has moved. It is like a “little Detroit”. I had a friend who used to teach there but quit because she feared for her own safety. It is one of the most dangerous cities of its size in the US.
It’s sad, too, because not so many years ago it was a nice place to live. At this point we would probably be better off if they just razed the place and started over from scratch.
crosspatch on April 24, 2009 at 9:50 PM
If the sheriff in town is not willing to enforce the law, then the law of the old west will be reinstated. Maybe its time to dust off those cowboy boots and spurs and wear your six iron on your hip boys.
Conservative Voice on April 24, 2009 at 9:51 PM
You know things are bad if they have a HUD “neighborhood stabilization plan”. “Neighborhood Stabilization” these days means “keep things bad so the government cash keeps flowing in and we can distribute it to our cronies”.
crosspatch on April 24, 2009 at 9:54 PM
To those of you who think there’s not enough law enforcement, I present Exhibit A and Exhibit B
There is also a concerted effort to criminalize free speech and Conservatism in case no one noticed.
bigbeas on April 24, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I am glad that I live in Texas.
Johan Klaus on April 24, 2009 at 10:37 PM
With this bit of news, California appears to have inched ahead of Michigan and Minnesota on the stupidity scale.
Percy_Peabody on April 24, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Hell, you can commit all the misdemeanors you want in San Diego County. Don’t show and they’ll issue a warrant for your arrest. Only problem is, the jail will not accept the prisoner (in violation of state law). If it’s a court day and during court hours, you can drag the arrestee forthwith before a judge, otherwise, forget it. Felonies are still accepted (for now), the jail then charges the agency making the arrest $100 to book the prisoner. Once arrested a guy with 33 outstanding misdemeanor warrants and took him before a judge. He got sentenced to one day in jail…….which means he got out in about 12 hours. Ain’t justice grand?
GarandFan on April 24, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Let me guess…he get’s paid the same either way? Less work for the same money?
AUINSC on April 24, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Serious stuff indeed. Please note that simple assault, Assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, minor drug use and sexual assault and theft are not Prosecuted:
911 Operatror: “911 Emergency…”
Frightened Housewife: “There is a man crawling through my window!”
911: “I am sorry Miss, we no longer respond to burglary.”
FH: “He’s incoherent, I think he’s on drugs!”
911: “I am sorry Miss, we no longer treat Individual Drug Use as a crime.”
FH: “He is stealing my stuff!”
911: “I am sorry Miss, we no longer prosecute theft as a crime.”
FH: “My God, he is tearing my blouse! He has a knife!”
911: “I am sorry Miss, we no longer prosecute assault with a deadly weapon or sexual assault.”
FH: BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! “I shot him! I shot him!”
911: “We are sending an officer at once! Because we live in Liberal La La Land and if he is a different race than you or you gun is unregistered, you may be arrested for a hate crime!”
GunRunner on April 24, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Time for a tax revolt and armed neighborhood watch parties.
Chaz706 on April 25, 2009 at 12:13 AM
As Allahpundit pointed out a few days ago,
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/04/20/ninth-circuit-second-amendment-also-protects-gun-owners-from-state-law/
the 9th Circuit has, just in time, recognized our right to bear arms!
Ira on April 25, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Other than the usual battle cry for decriminalizing of marijuana/drugs (which is pure folly)… what crime(s) do YOU suggest be decriminalized in the list of things this D.A. says he won’t prosecute?
Does anyone suggest existing crimes punishable by laws on the books be decriminalized?
SilverStar830 on April 25, 2009 at 12:58 AM
since when and where are these misdemeanors? I call bullsh!t
Kaptain Amerika on April 25, 2009 at 1:54 AM
this is just another ploy to raise taxes. Nothing more or less. If the taxpayers are smart they’ll just vote him out of office… ie fire him… and move forward with someone that has their interests in mind.
Karmashock on April 25, 2009 at 3:31 AM
The DA is an elected official, subject to recall in California. Do it.
kghahn on April 25, 2009 at 7:12 AM
Well, you quest is over. You no longer have to seek after the void, you’re living in it.
RobertInLexington on April 25, 2009 at 7:34 AM
rplat on April 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Ditto.
Onus on April 25, 2009 at 7:54 AM
-
Call it ‘Crime Spree Vacationing’ (akin to Eco-Vacationing). Roll into town on Monday, pick up your list of unprosecutable crimes, have fun being a low level criminal for a few days, and be home sleeping in your own bed by Friday. Sweet!
-
And remember our motto…
-
What Happens in Contra Costa County, Stays in Contra Costa County.
-
RalphyBoy on April 25, 2009 at 8:26 AM
The crimes simply have to go through the city and will result in tickets.
That’s how most of them are handled already in LA.
AnninCA on April 25, 2009 at 9:10 AM
They can really start clearing the logjam in the courts and jails if they stop prosecuting simple marijuana posession. But the government will never, ever admit to the 70 year lie about the “dangers” of ole Mary Jane.
Pelayo on April 25, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Someone’s been watching too many movies.
Pelayo on April 25, 2009 at 9:38 AM
I am glad I recently bought a gun to defend my family with it hits the fan in the Liberal Mecca of California. Ever more reason to oppose gun control, but now maybe they will not prosecute illegally bought guns either.
Blue Collar Todd on April 25, 2009 at 1:31 PM
The obvious solution for besieged shopowners in Contra Costa County is to hire security to follow shoplifters by vehicle, run them down, and retrieve the shop’s property by force.
According to the DA, this apparently will not result in any prosecutions of anyone. Why should only the criminals benefit from this change of practice?
As long as you don’t actually defend yourself, by using a weapon, but “merely” retaliate against those who rob or vandalize you by performing the actions against them that the DA declines to prosecute, you’ll go scot free. What could be the problem?
J.E. Dyer on April 25, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Those misdemeanors will still be prosecuted at the Municipal/City level.
It actually makes more sense to deal with monior offenses at the local level rather thana bumping it up to the county.
Send them to the local court ot pay a fine and be done with it.
mofo on April 25, 2009 at 6:35 PM
California! Uber Alles!
ronsfi on April 25, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Having lived in Ca. I say it’s not such a bad idea. Go to California on vacation. Leave on probation.
ronsfi on April 25, 2009 at 7:50 PM
DV, DUI and vehicular manslaughter are misdemeanors?
So I can get drunk, go for a drive and run over my spouse and I might not be prosecuted?
Coooooooolllllll.
Squiggy on April 25, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Hey! I live in Contra Costa County! I’m so proud.
.
I’m sure it’s entirely coincidental that this county’s sheriff is infamous for refusing to issue concealed carry permits.
Bad Penny on April 25, 2009 at 10:36 PM
What’s the difference? Everytime a cop arrests someone you people flip your lids about Obamas facist police state.
Sgt_H on April 26, 2009 at 1:18 AM
how long will it be till somebody steals the tires off this guys car
wade underhile on April 26, 2009 at 10:04 AM
How much will you bet that if the victim of the misdemeanor hit and run or grand theft is a cop, prosecutor, or one of their family members that charges will be filed?
rokemronnie on April 26, 2009 at 1:21 PM
If cops weren’t assholes it wouldn’t be a problem.
You think every time a cop arrests someone, the cop hasn’t possibly done anything wrong.
Why bother with courts?
rokemronnie on April 26, 2009 at 1:25 PM
I wonder if this prosecutor has violated his oath of office by refusing to prosecute known crimes.
rokemronnie on April 26, 2009 at 1:28 PM
No different from police unions who endorse tax increases so their members will get paid more. When it’s you and your cop buddies doing the scaring to benefit your own wallets, do you have a problem with it?
I think we should consider disenfranchising anyone who works for any government agency. You want your power and pensions? Fine, you have to give up your right to vote as long as you’re on the public payroll.
rokemronnie on April 26, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »