Public Safety

Progressive Los Angeles District Attorney Facing Roadblocks

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Pat Finn / Producer

Published February 16, 2021 at 1:41 PM PST

This story was published more than 3 years ago.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón is pictured in this undated photo.

Progressive L.A. District Attorney Facing Roadblocks

The progress that newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón was elected to make is facing obstacles, including a lawsuit filed by his own prosecutors.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office is the largest in the nation. So, when George Gascón, a progressive former district attorney of San Francisco, was elected this November to run it, advocates for criminal justice reform rejoiced.

Gascón acted right away, delivering a raft of new policies. His prosecutors could no longer seek the death penalty, try juveniles as adults, attend parole hearings or file most sentencing enhancements that increase punishments.

The reaction was swift. The union that represents many Los Angeles prosecutors filed suit against the removal of sentencing enhancements, and a judge ruled Gascón's plan violated the law. The organization representing 57 of California's 58 district attorneys — including San Diego County's District Attorney Summer Stephen — weighed in, questioning the legality of Gascón’s mandates.

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A statewide battle is shaping up between reformers like Gascón and traditional law-and-order prosecutors over the definition and shape of criminal justice in California and other states.

Reporter Anita Chabria, who covers criminal justice for the Los Angeles Times, talked with KPBS Midday Edition about Gascón and his plans for criminal justice reform.

Public Safety

Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Pat Finn

Pat Finn previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. Finn began her career in broadcasting at KTLA and KCET in Los Angeles. In 1979 she became KPBS’ Public Information Director, then Director of Advertising and Promotion, Program Director, and Director of Broadcasting. She oversaw the station’s local and national productions, including the one-hour documentary Los Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar, and Child Protective Services, a one-hour look inside the San Diego County agency responsible for the welfare of at risk children. Both programs also aired on public television stations nationwide. Finn has earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

See stories by Pat Finn