Los Angeles, CA, Monday, March 10, 2025 - 26. District Attorney Nathan Hochman provides an update on the Lyle and Erik Menendez case.(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, California – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is sending a clear message to would-be criminals: the days of leniency are over.
In a video posted to his official X account on Sunday, Hochman stood at the border of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, declaring that criminals once emboldened by lax enforcement in LA County will now face serious consequences. “The fun is over. A new DA was elected,” Hochman said. “And criminals in LA County will now be prosecuted and held fully accountable for their illegal actions.”
Hochman’s comments come just months after voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 in November, a measure that reclassifies certain shoplifting crimes as felonies to combat surging retail theft. The DA hailed the early results of the law, citing over 1,000 arrests under the new statute since December 18. “Is it working? The answer is yes,” Hochman said at a May 14 press conference. “Proposition 36 is already making a difference.”
Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and independent who once ran as a Republican, was elected by a wide margin in March, defeating progressive incumbent George Gascón by 20 points. His campaign focused heavily on restoring order to a county plagued by perceptions of rising crime and weak enforcement under Gascón’s leadership.
Gascón, who survived two recall attempts during his tenure, faced mounting criticism for policies seen as too lenient. One example was his support for Proposition 47, a 2014 law that downgraded many theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Hochman positioned himself as a centrist alternative, rejecting both extreme incarceration and what he called “public safety failure” under Gascón.
“A smart and proportional approach to public safety is what voters wanted,” Hochman said. “I spoke to ultra-left liberals, independents and conservative Republicans, and across the board, people agree that safety comes first.”
Hochman also attacked Gascón’s handling of juvenile offenders, accusing the former DA of fostering a culture of impunity. As the newly elected district attorney, Hochman says his office will prioritize accountability while striving for fairness in sentencing.
“The tide has turned in Los Angeles,” Hochman said. “The message is simple: if you break the law, you will be held accountable—no matter where you come from.”
