Contra Costa County, California doesn’t have the money to prosecuting crimes
Facing crippling budget cuts, a California district attorney says his hands are tied. Forced to lay off 20 percent of his staff, Contra Costa County District Attorney Bob Kochly said his department will stop prosecuting many misdemeanor crimes.
“This is a no-win situation for me, for the communities in this country — it’s a terrible thing to have to do,” he said.
The layoffs mean that those carrying less than a gram of cocaine or half a gram of heroin won’t be charged for drug possession. And criminals who commit petty theft, embezzlement, burglary, non-DUI traffic offenses or trespassing, among other crimes, could face little or no consequences.
“The last thing I want to do is say someone could commit a particular kind of crime — even if it’s only a misdemeanor — and they can get away with it in my county,” said Kochly. “That just is absolutely devastating to me.”
I have mixed feelings about this. I’m all for them not prosecuting the victimless crimes but the property infringements should be dealt with. If they cut back more non-violent, victimless prosecutions they could pick up the theft, burglary, trespassing, etc.
What I hope happens is that the public arms themselves or install defensive technologies and they realize the police as they currently exist are unnecessary.
