New Los Angeles DA pledges to adopt a "hard middle approach" in an effort to restore law and order after George Gascón's tenure.

On Tuesday, a new top prosecutor was sworn in in one of California's most progressive cities, vowing a "hard middle approach" as Los Angeles tries to move past rampant crime and lenient prosecutorial policies.

Nathan Hochman has been appointed as the new Los Angeles County District Attorney, succeeding George Gascón. Hochman defeated the incumbent in the election by advocating for a stricter stance on crime, while also opposing mass incarceration.

"Hochman emphasized to his supporters on Tuesday that district attorneys should only focus on two things: the facts and the law. He rejected extreme policies on both sides of the pendulum swing, including decarceration policies that determine certain crimes and criminals will not be prosecuted and mass incarceration policies that are not grounded in the facts and the law."

During his campaign, Hochman emphasized his "hard middle approach," stating that the people of L.A. County have been heard and are demanding an end to Gascón's policies, and they are hopeful for a safer future.

The 61-year-old former federal prosecutor, who ran as an independent after seeking the state attorney general's office as a Republican in 2022, was sworn in at noon local time in a ceremony outside the Hall of Justice, with former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger administering the oath.

Prior to the ceremony, Hochman stated that we are here as Angelenos who prioritize safety in the county where we live.

Hochman's victory signifies the beginning of a new era of crime policies in liberal Los Angeles, as he pledged to restore the District Attorney's Office's purpose to prosecute lawbreakers fairly, effectively, and vigorously based on evidence and the law.

Hochman stated that he would maintain the autonomy and impartiality of the district attorney by basing his decisions solely on the evidence and the law, rather than on party affiliation or political ideology.

Day One Promises:

On the first day, Hochman pledged to swiftly reinstate law and order.

• He pledged to reinstate the power of prosecutors to seek increased penalties for defendants who employed firearms during the commission of their offenses, or whose crimes were motivated by criminal street gangs.
• He pledged to abolish the restriction that prevented prosecutors from attending parole hearings to advocate for rape victims and the families of homicide victims when their perpetrators sought early release from prison.
• Additionally, he pledged to revoke a ban on juveniles being charged with misdemeanors for stealing merchandise worth less than $950.

As the new district attorney, Hochman intends to prioritize organizing task forces to address the most pressing concerns of residents, including homelessness, fentanyl poisoning, human trafficking, hate crimes, organized retail crime, and residential burglaries.

"The D.A.’s Office will collaborate with various entities to address the severe issues impacting public safety and the quality of life of county residents."

WATCH:

The new top prosecutor will commence his tenure by re-examining the high-profile case of the Menendez brothers. The brothers, who are currently serving life sentences without parole for the 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents, are awaiting a decision on their bid for release based on what their attorneys claim is new evidence that they were sexually abused by their father.

In the lead-up to the election, Gascón declared his support for the resentencing of the brothers. However, a judge postponed a ruling on the issue until January.