ADDA Statement Regarding Gascón Appealing Ruling that Voided His Directive Against 3-Strikes Allegations

Los Angeles, July 15, 2022 – Last month, a unanimous Court of Appeals panel reminded George Gascón that “[h]e is an elected official who must comply with the law, not a sovereign with absolute, unreviewable discretion.” He obviously disagrees with that basic premise.

Now he has appealed that ruling because he believes separation of powers is a “dangerous precedent” and because he is convinced that the rule of law doesn’t apply to him.

He demands the unprecedented authority to act as both the executive and the legislative branch. He believes his election is a mandate from the voters that vests him with unlimited power to impose his personal ideology, even when doing so means disregarding the will of the voters, the legislators, and the governor who enacted the three strikes laws.

He insists on treating first time offenders and repeat offenders the same. Yet the “science and data” on which he relies dissolves under basic scrutiny.

The public should recall that he ran on the promise that his policies would deliver safer communities. Now he denies responsibility for the rising crime that is affecting all our communities.

About The ADDA
The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) is the collective bargaining agent and represents over 800 Deputy District Attorneys who work for the County of Los Angeles.