LPM:

Eight

• Family Violence
• Hardcore gangs
• Major Crimes
• Organized Crimes
• Major Fraud
• Sex Crimes
• Target Crimes
• Juvenile

• 1) Vertically prosecute aggravated crimes of DV w/*in Central District*;
• 2) Provide legal support and resources for all DV prosecutions throughout the office;
• 3) Provide training, consultation and support to other county departments, law enforcement and other relevant councils and committees

Referrals for expert witnesses in DV made from FVD

Vertically prosecute serious and violent felonies in which victim or suspect is a gang member

• Not always; because the criminal activity of certain gangs the scope of the cases handled include bribery, extortion, and other non-violent felonies
• (i.e. CLEAR – when grant funding allows for community-based programs targeting specific gangs or geographic areas)

Prosecute all crimes – felony and misdemeanor – committed by juvies

10 total. North and South

• Pasadena
• Symlar
• Antelope Valley
• Pomona
• Eastlake

• Ingelwood
• Compton
• Long Beach
• Kenyon (JJC)
• Los Padrinos

Vertically prosecute major crimes and significant cases of public interest – typically complex and involve high-profile crimes or defendants

Crimes committed by prison gangs

Vertically prosecute cases involving significant narco trafficking & manufacturing organizations throughout LA

• Responsible for coordinating, preperation & and execution of all wiretaps issued by the office

Vertically prosecute criminal enterprises organized to conduct illegal activity (murder, solicitation, hijacking, extortion, kidnapping, insurance fraud, loan sharking, gambling, forgery, pimping, pandering, terrorist related activity) OR organized to supply illegal goods/services

Includes Hate Crimes Division

Felonies motivated by V’s actual/perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation

• 1) Involves GBI/Death
• 2) Crimes is perpetrated by Organized Hate Crime
• 3) Contain Complex/Media Attention

Vertically prosecute felonies involving sexual assault & child molestation in Central District

• Family Violence
• Sex Crimes

• Hardcore
• Major Crimes
• Major Narcotics
• Organized Crimes
• Juvenile

• [A]rson
• CAPOS - Crimes Against Police OfficerS 
• STAT - Stalking Threat Assessment Team
• TRAP - Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention

• Vertically prosecute significant arson-related crimes countywide 

• 1) When arson is a substantial factor in the cause of death;
• 2) Arson caused GBI;
• 3) Arson of an inhabited dwelling;
• 4) Complex arsons involving $$$;
• 5) Serial arsonists;
• 6) Defendants with prior arson convictions

• Vertically prosecute cases where: 
• 1) PO is killed,
• 2) Shot or seriously wounded &
• 3) Select cases involving force/threat of force against PO

• Vertically prosecute stalking involving:
• 1) Firearm or DW;
• 2) V (or their family member) 187/GBI; 
• 3) Prior strike conviction or;
• 4) Prior stalking/422 conviction;
• 5) Complex, serious or long-term (i.e. multiple offenses, witnesses, agencies, locations/agencies, victims);
• 6) Widespread Interest;
• 7) V is city/county/state official OR govt employee

Interagency taskforce targeting car theft rings countywide --> focusing on prosecuting professional auto theft operations

Promotes coordinated effort & Encourages Max cooperation/w law enforcement and prosecution agencies

Complex auto thefts committed by organized criminal syndicates --> REQUIRED TO PRIORITIZE prosecutions with regional teams

Assist task force detectives/investigators handle forfeiture matters & generate legislation

HD/DIC

• Avoid unmanageable cases
• Overfiling

Filing deputy must remain flexible b/c don’t want to preclude filing counts where it is appropriate

• 1) Policies as to evidentiary sufficiency &;
• 2) Appropriate charge level satisfied;
• 3) Not a technical charge but --> is separate criminal conduct OR theory of liability

Must comply with rules of joinder

In order to avoid the use of an excessive number of witnesses when the crimes that ARE charged adequately describe the defendant’s conduct. Example would be burglary or robbery where number of employees are present and could each categorized as a victim.

Arbitrarily limiting the # of charges can prejudice the DA, whereas it doesn’t prejudice the rights of the accused since at least one count has been filed. Limiting counts is not a concern for the rights of the accused b/c courts rarely impose consecutive sentences for charges that arise from a single event & PC 654 provides adequate protection the accused at P&S 

Where multiple defendants CAN be charged with a felony & at least one appears to DESERVE a felony sentence --> ALL should be charged initially

The legislature has expressed a preference for joining defendants in the CA Constitution

Separate felony and misdemeanor prosecutions in the case of CO-D’s is a waste of judicial resources & an unnecessary inconvenience to wits --> therefore should be AVOIDED

No. Can still fashion misdemeanor dispo & court can exercise PC 17(b)(5)

I/O before filing

SHALL file when under PC 667(a)(1) both the prior and current offense are serious felonies; MUST be served in addition to other terms imposed under 3 strikes

Same standards/guidelines as ADULTS

• 1) Fitness proceeding (WIC 707(a) – (c);
• 2) Mandatory Direct (WIC 602(b)) & ;
• 3) Discretionary Direct Filing (WIC 707(d))

The minor is deemed UNFIT in a fitness hearing and the juvenile court certifies the minor to adult court

HD

• 1) Change in facts or law;
• 2) Error OR Omission from original charges

When it is suggested by the defense OR it appears to the judge that the defendant is a minor

Proceedings are immediately suspended – NOT dismissed --> to “examine into the age of the person (WIC 604)