Jury awards $1.5 million in 1st retaliation lawsuit against DA Gascón

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The suit also claimed that the policy created a false and misleading description of the crimes committed. And that she was directed not to file strike offenses against juveniles. And to only file lesser charges, such as assault.

The directive also mandated that Randolph could not file any enhancements for egregious violent conduct, according to the suit.

Randolph repeatedly disclosed to her superiors that juvenile petitions made under Gascón’s policy were not truthful, and filing such petitions before a court violates the ethical and statutory duties of a prosecutor. 

Randolph pointed out that under Gascón’s directive, violent juvenile murderers could not be tried as adults.

The suit also claimed that “In essence, plaintiff was directed not to file strike offenses against juveniles and this directive creates a false and misleading description to the court of the crimes that were actually committed.” 

The ability of a prosecutor to file a strike offense, such as robbery, has a deterrent effect. If the juvenile commits another serious or violent felony as an adult, his or her sentence can be doubled, according to the suit.