Political Scapegoating To Explain Away Rising Homicide Rates
Editorial By Michele Hanisee The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reported a stunning 111 percent increase in homicides from January 1, 2021, to May 21, 2021, versus the same period in 2020. While current statewide numbers are not yet reported by the Department of Justice, California’s homicide rate in 2020 had a lower but still […]
Commentary | Lawyers Dwell On Small Details
Editorial By Michele Hanisee Since the Special Directives of the District Attorney were announced in his first moment in office, they have been the topic of discussion in the public and in the press. But some significant sections of these directives have been overlooked simply because their effect is not apparent to anyone without a detailed […]
DA’s Association Statement on Election of George Gascón
Los Angeles, November 6, 2020 – Michele Hanisee, President of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA), issued the following statement regarding the election of George Gascón as the 43rd District Attorney in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County has elected a new District Attorney. Our Association and its members are committed to ensuring a seamless transition from this administration to […]
George Gascón’s History of Hiding Evidence and Silencing Whistleblowers
. . . By Michele Hanisee . In response to a Public Records Act request for George Gascón’s disciplinary records, the LAPD, rather than indicating that no such records exist, has instead stated that “records responsive to your request remain privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure. “Gascón, who has publicly advocated for transparency in the criminal […]
Making the case for ‘Yes’ on Prop 20
. . . By Michele Hanisee . As prosecutors who see how changes in the law actually play out in the justice system, we strongly support Proposition 20 which appears on the November ballot. Prop 20 will make reasonable changes to fix some of the unintended consequences caused by Props 47 and 57 and AB […]
POLITICS | DA Race Los Angeles – George Gascón: A Political Chameleon
By Michele Hanisee . George Gascón panders to progressive audiences by claiming to support efforts to defund the police and moral opposition to the death penalty. The truth is Gascón’s positioning on the death penalty depends on his audience. During an interview with the ADDA, Gascón was specifically asked if he would change the […]
Flawed Berkeley Law Study Produces Flawed Conclusions
. . . By Michele Hanisee . The Death Penalty Clinic at Berkley Law released a study last week that concludes that “racial discrimination is an ever-present feature of jury selection in California.” The study was authored by long-time criminal defense attorney Elisabeth Semel, who runs the Death Penalty Clinic at UC Berkeley. It is […]
Legislation Advances Allowing Sleeping, Hostile and Unintelligible Jurors
. . . By Michele Hanisee As a member of the public, who would you choose to serve as a juror on a serious criminal case? Jurors need to be responsible enough to get to court on time every day. They must be attentive to complex evidence. They must listen to and comprehend legal instructions […]
The Spotlight Of Truth – The Internet Gives a Voice of Justice
. . . By Michele Hanisee . While the internet may have flaws, one of its redeeming features is that those who have do not own a printing press or media outlet no longer have to rely on the largess of newspapers or media outlets to have their voice heard. The internet has allowed the […]
Los Angeles D.A.’s Race | Gascon’s Dystopia
. . . By Michele Hanisee . “If somebody gets arrested, they’re not going to serve any time in jail. If they do serve time in jail, they’re not going to be prosecuted. If they do get prosecuted, they’re not going to be sentenced, and if they are sentenced, they’re out right away. It’s a […]
