Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Nathan Hochman
Current job title: Of Counsel and General Counsel (private law firm)
Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Assistant Attorney General (head of U.S. Dept of Justice’s Tax Division) | President/Commissioner – L.A. City Ethics Commission
City where you reside: Los Angeles
Campaign website or social media: nathanhochman.com
1. What are your top priorities for addressing violent crime in LA County, and how do you plan to allocate resources to effectively tackle these issues? (Please limit response to 250 words)
Under George Gascón, Los Angeles County has become a haven for violent criminals of every sort, from those who use a gun or are part of a gang knowing no gun or gang enhancements will be filed by the D.A.’s office. When the D.A. won’t do his job, violent criminals take note, and law-abiding citizens are put in danger. I want to restore safety and security in L.A. County, restore the people’s trust in the D.A.’s office to get the job done, and bring back a successful and productive partnership between the D.A.’s office and law enforcement. We accomplish this by rejecting Gascón’s blanket policy of “de-carceration” (I reject extreme policies of de-carceration and mass incarceration) and implement the individualized “hard middle” approach focusing on achieving deterrence as the true measure of an effective criminal justice system.
2. How do you plan to balance public safety with criminal justice reform, particularly in relation to bail reform and alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenses? (Please limit response to 250 words)
The focus of the bail system should be on determining what bail can eliminate or significantly reduce the risk of a particular defendant committing future crimes if released or the risk of a person absconding and not showing up for court appearances. The current cash bail system has flaws, but it does not need to be completely abandoned to fix them. Those flaws stem from the lack of risk assessment. Since the cash bail system imposes cash bail based on a schedule determined by the crime committed rather than a risk analysis, it releases on bail some who otherwise pose a risk of danger to the community or flight and denies bail to those who pose neither risk but lack the funds to meet a minimal bail. The solution is to implement a 24/7 magistrate review of arrestees and build up a pretrial services department that could provide the magistrate both with information concerning appropriate bail (defendant’s work experience, prior record, etc.) and then provide supervision to ensure that the defendant complies with his/her bail conditions and appears for future court hearings.
When considering sentencing alternatives, I will focus on the “hard middle,” which requires an individualized analysis of the defendant, the crime committed, and the impact on the victim to determine who are the true threats to our safety and need to be incarcerated and those who aren’t and can pay their debt to society by community service or a diversion program.
3. How do you plan to decrease rates of retail crime and smash-and-grabs? Do you support Prop. 36, which would reinstate harsher penalties for shoplifting and drug related offenses? (Please limit response to 250 words)
Unlike Gascón, who waited for Mayor Bass (who has no law enforcement power) to lead an Organized Retail Theft Task Force, I would lead such a task force of local, state and federal investigators and prosecutors to send the message to criminals that such actions, including retail crime and smash-and-grabs, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No longer will the community hear from law enforcement that their hands are tied by the D.A.’s office. The D.A.’s office will do its job; law enforcement will have a partner to do its job; victims can call 911 and expect that the justice system will work; and criminals will understand that the rules will be consistently, fairly and impartially enforced with real consequences for criminal actions. The goal is not to return to the era of mass incarceration but rather to bring the appropriate sentence and to hold criminals accountable. I also support the reforms that Prop. 36 provides.
4. How do you intend to enhance the relationship and collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office and local communities, including efforts to build trust and improve communication with marginalized groups? (Please limit response to 250 words)
Our diverse community is extremely important in Los Angeles. I have worked closely with marginalized communities for decades, from college to government service to private practice to community work. Part of the success in those relationships has been partnering with such diverse and capable people in these communities. My father used to say that I was born with two ears and one mouth, so I have to listen twice as much as I speak. Following that advice, I have greatly appreciated the advice and wisdom I have received from partners who have helped shape my views on, for example, poverty, criminal justice and the legal profession. As district attorney, I will seek such advice and wisdom from our marginalized community leaders on Day One of my administration.
5. Can you outline your approach to handling cases of police misconduct and excessive force, and how you will ensure that your office maintains a fair and impartial stance in such investigations? (Please limit response to 250 words)
As someone who has worked with law enforcement as a prosecutor and U.S. Assistant General, prosecuted dirty cops, defended officers and co-founded the LA Sheriff’s Foundation, I have strong credibility in law enforcement circles and look forward to re-establishing a strong partnership with those who put their lives on the line to support our community. However, I will be the only D.A. ever elected who personally prosecuted a deputy sheriff (who along with 15 others stole money, drugs and guns from drug dealers). If officers go rogue and violate the law, I will treat them in the same manner I treat others who violate the law – as criminals. As many law enforcement officers have said to me, the only person who hates a bad cop more are good cops.
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