enhancements

Hochman’s agenda includes a return to seeking the death penalty, an increase in the prosecution of low-level misdemeanors and using sentencing enhancements to seek long prison terms in cases that involve guns or gangs.

Gascón halted the use of sentencing enhancements against people who allegedly used a gun or committed an offense on behalf of a gang.

County prosecutors used sentencing enhancements nearly half a million times from 2010-20.

The race of the defendants was not recorded, but in nearby Orange, San Diego and Riverside counties during the same period, records show 90% of those targeted for enhancements were Black or Latino.

He has also said prosecutors will be able to broadly pursue sentencing enhancements again, which can add years of prison time for defendants accused of using guns in crimes or committing offenses on behalf of a gang.