Los Angeles County voters approved the measure in March.
In March, Californians went to the polls (or mailed in their ballots) to vote for a candidate in the presidential primary. For voters in Los Angeles County, there was another important issue at stake in this election: Measure R. Voters approved Measure R by an overwhelming majority (70%), but what exactly does it do?
Los Angeles County has a history of corruption within the Sheriff’s Department. In 2016, the County created a Civilian Oversight Commission, which was tasked with overseeing the Sheriff’s Department. However, according to a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles County, there was one problem with the creation of this Commission: it had little power. With Measure R, the Commission now has the power to directly subpoena the Sheriff’s Department. This will increase both accountability and transparency when it comes to law enforcement.
Measure R is also aimed at jail reform. The Commission will now be required to draft a Comprehensive Public Safety Reinvestment Plan. The goal of this plan is to reduce the population of the county jail by developing alternatives to incarceration as well as community-based healthcare programs. The plan will be designed to divert the most vulnerable populations away from the criminal justice system, particularly individuals who need mental health treatment rather than incarceration. The Commission must include a feasibility study, strategies for reducing the jail population, a timeline, and an overview for how resources will be allocated in the plan. It will be financed by funds that had previously been allocated to build new county jails.
As a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles County can explain, the passage of Measure R was critically important to our community. Los Angeles County has one of the largest jail systems in the world. The majority of people (63%) in Los Angeles County jails are there on nonviolent offenses — either awaiting trial or having been sentenced. Many of these offenses are directly related to efforts to survive, such as drug addiction and mental health issues.
According to proponents of the measure, up to 10% of the 8,000 to 10,000 people who are released from Los Angeles County jail become homeless. Indeed, homelessness is a major factor in incarceration within Los Angeles County. 1 out of every 3 homeless people in L.A. have been arrested — a number that is 17 times higher than the arrest rate for the city of Los Angeles.
By addressing issues such as homelessness and drug addiction directly, our community may be able to substantially reduce the population in County jails. In addition, people who are suffering from these issues will be able to get the help that they need.
At the Chambers Law Firm, we represent clients who have been charged with a range of crimes in Los Angeles County and beyond. As a former prosecutor, attorney Dan E. Chambers has experience on both sides of the courtroom — and he puts his knowledge to work for his clients every day. To learn more or to schedule a free case evaluation with a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles County, contact our firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
