San Francisco District Attorneys Office Alternative Sentencing Program

-Holding Offenders Accountable. Protecting Victims. Breaking the Cycle of Violence.

District Attorney George Gascn

He is the first Latino to hold the office in San Francisco and is the nations first police chief to become District Attorney. A former high school dropout, District Attorney Gascn understands the importance of keeping kids in school to reduce violence and prevent crime. Gascn has thirty years of experience in law enforcement promoting through the ranks to become Assistant Chief at the Los Angeles Police Department, Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona and Chief of Police in San Francisco. In addition to his criminal justice work at the local, state, and national level, District Attorney Gascn has worked on public safety initiatives in Latin America and the Middle East

Veil of Ignorance- John Rawls

The princilples of Justice are chosen behind a veil of Ignorance. They do not know the particular political, economic or cultural characteristics of their own society nor do they know to which generation they belong. According to Rawls, the veil of ignorance has the effect of depriving persons in the original position of the knowledge they would need to advance their own special interests.

FOUR GOLDEN QUESTIONS

Who

are they? Where do they come from? What happen? What's their risk factors? Whats their stabilizing factors?

School

HOME

Health

PURPOSE
The (ASP) Alternative Sentencing Program gives prosecutors additional information on alternative sanctioning options. The ASP is available on all 1170 (h) cases as well as other selected cases where an alternative to a pure jail/prison sentence may be possible.

GOAL
The goal is to assist prosecutors in the identification of safe, effective sanctions that will address the offenders criminogenic needs and help advance public safety.

Caseload Demographic Out of 200

18-25

year old: (50.8%) African American: (65 %) Men: ( 82%) Women: (16%)

Case File Review

Statement of Offense
Summary: On May 15th, 2012, the victim noticed two Hispanic males smoking marijuana from a pipe and drinking Blue Moon beer. As she exited off the Muni at San Jose Ave, she felt someone following her. When she reached her house and put her key in her front door, the two males she had seen earlier on the train pushed her against her front door and covered her month preventing her from screaming. Defendant then grabbed her shoulder bag from around her right shoulder and ran east bound on San Rosa Ave. Her bag contained her wallet, computer and battery charger. The victim ran after the defendant screaming that she had been robbed. The defendant was detained by SFPD. Property was found and return to the victim.

Defendant Information
Age: 19 Race: Hispanic Zip Code: 94134 Charges: 211 PC/F Exposure: 3-4-6 SF RAP and CII: No prior criminal history First Offer: PG 211: 1 CJ with all the bells and whistles

ASP Background Review

Defendant is a 19 year old single male who is a native of San Francisco. The defendant has fathered one child (daughter- 2 years old). Defendant lives with daughter and girlfriend. The defendant dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. Prior to his arrest, the defendant was working part-time at McDonalds. The defendant admits using marijuana on a regular basis.

Getting to the root of the Problem

ASP Recommendation: Intensive supervision by the Adult Probation TAY Unit ( Transitional Age Youth) Home Detention with ankle monitor Enroll in the Five Keys Charter School Program to obtain his GED/High School Diploma 1 year of outpatient substance abuse program with the Young Men Reentry Program at 70 Oak Grove, San Francisco

Case Disposition
Sentencing Department: 23 ( ERP) Disposition: PG 211 ISS/3 APD/1 YR CJ can be done in Home Detention. Supervised by TAY Unit/ 10-35/296/etc. If defendant successfully completes probation with no new arrest and no violations/modifications of probation, then at the end of term. Defendant can nunc pro tunc withdraw plea to 211 and plea to 487 (c) felony.

Five Keys Charter School Graduation Ceremony (courtesy of SF APD)

The Broken Car Analogy