NCJ Number
79864
Date Published
Unknown
Length
46 pages
Annotation
The need for, the operations of, and the first-year results experienced by the Hardcore Gang Section, a special unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (California), are discussed.
Abstract
Los Angeles County has experienced an alarming growth in the level and extent of gang-related violence since the mid-1970's. There were 168 gang-related homicides reported in 1977, compared with 351 for 1980. The conviction rate in gang-related homicide cases handled by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1977 and 1978 was below 50 percent. The Hardcore Gang Section became operational in January 1979, for the expressed intent of improving the quality of prosecution of gang-related homicides. The section's operations have involved the identification of selected defendants in both adult and juvenile court and the assigning of a single prosecutor to a case from beginning to end, supplying additional investigative support, and the development of expertise in gang violence. During the first year of operation, the Hardcore Section has taken 54 hardcore gang defendants to final disposition, producing 53 convictions. This success is directly attributable to the concentrated vertical prosecution, the increased investigation, and the section's willingness and ability to deal with the witness problems inherent in cases involving violent hardcore gang offenders. A detailed accounting on a defendant by defendant basis is appended, along with a newspaper account of the section's activities. (Author summary modified)