The Lancaster City Council voted to pass Resolution No. 21-21 expressing a vote of no confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon.
The Council’s action was prompted by Gascon’s issuance of numerous special directives and amendments, some of which contradict state laws enacted to prevent and prosecute crime and protect the general public.
Gascon’s directives include Special Directive 20-06 Pretrial Release Policy, which eliminates 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 Special Directive 20-08 Sentencing Enhancements/Allegations, which eliminates several sentence enhancements such as the Three Strikes Law.
Through its vote of no confidence, the City Council expressed that DA Gascon’s directives pose a serious threat to the well-being and safety of Los Angeles County and the residents of Lancaster.
“We cannot have a law-abiding city if we don’t have a District Attorney willing to enforce the law,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “While there is definitely a major need for criminal justice reform, that isn’t something the DA can simply try to dictate through blanket policies. Right now through DA Gascon’s directives, we are essentially allowing the baby to be thrown out with the bathwater, and we can’t let that continue.”
With the passage of Resolution No. 21-21, the City of Lancaster demands that Gascon rescind every special directive issued since he was sworn into office in December 2020; to issue no additional special directives that contradict state laws; and to uphold the laws of the state moving forward.
