Los Angeles DA George Gascon Sits on 15,000 Unfiled Cases as Robberies Skyrocket

As homicides and robberies continue to rise, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has created a backlog of 15,000 unfiled criminal cases, leading to concerns that unprosecuted criminals in the zero-bail county are able to stay on the streets and keep committing new crimes without any consequences.

While LAPD did not respond to a public records request on updated crime data by the time of publication as the department adopts a new crime reporting system, a LAPD public information officer told The Center Square there were 438 gunshot victims and homicides are up 11%, robberies up 17.6%, motor vehicle theft up 5.2%, and burglaries up 2.4% year-over-year for January 1 through June 1 of 2024 compared to 2023.

“Murders in LA are increasing while falling throughout the country, robberies are up significantly. Gun violence is a huge problem in LA and not charging gun enhancements, and not prosecuting juvenile gun murderers is the wrong policy,” said Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor running against Gascon in the November election, to The Center Square.

“There is now reportedly a backlog of 15,000 unfiled cases that are gathering dust because prosecuting crime is not a priority to Gascon,” Hochman continued. “This means thousands of criminals who should be prosecuted are instead on the streets committing new crimes — and we are less safe as a result.”

When Gascon first took office in 2020, he instituted a policy of seeking zero sentencing enhancements, not prosecuting minors for any misdemeanors — with many felonies for minors directed to diversion programs — and not prosecuting 13 common misdemeanors, including trespass, driving with no license or a suspended license, criminal threats, drinking in public and public intoxication, and loitering to commit prostitution.

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