Students Ask Garcetti About Range of Topics

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti told about 90 high school students Wednesday that one of his most serious challenges is to re-establish the credibility of the criminal justice system, which he said has suffered in the intense spotlight of recent high-profile cases.

“People are asking, ‘Are you really being fair and impartial?’ ” Garcetti told the law and government magnet students packed into the courtroom at James Monroe High School in North Hills. “After the Denny verdicts, you have people saying that the criminal justice system just doesn’t work.”

Garcetti also expressed concern that the media attention surrounding the Heidi Fleiss and Michael Jackson cases has skewed the perception of what his office does.

“We get very upset with especially the electronic media constantly pushing us with what is new on Michael Jackson. There isn’t anything new. We are still investigating,” Garcetti said. Garcetti appeared in the school’s courtroom as one of a series of guest speakers to address the magnet program this fall. Others include Ira Salzman, the lawyer for former Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Stacey C. Koon when Koon was tried for violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights, and Martin H. Pomeroy, the San Fernando Valley’s new top cop.

While several students without chairs stood in the corner and sat on the floor of the wood-paneled courtroom, Garcetti began with a brief telling of his upbringing in South-Central Los Angeles.

As the son of Mexican immigrants, Garcetti said, his first language was Spanish. He attended George Washington High School in Los Angeles before attending USC and then UCLA law school.

“It’s important that they know what my background is,” Garcetti said after his appearance. “I want them to say, ‘he did it, maybe I can.’ ”

Some students asked Garcetti about internships in his office. Others wanted his opinion on issues ranging from the death penalty to the legalization of drugs.

One student had a more personal concern.

“I live in a bad neighborhood where I see gangs, violence, drugs, prostitutes and everything,” said senior Jose Flores, who lives in central Los Angeles. “Why do I see cops arrest people and two days later they’re out again?”

“Unless it is a capital offense, they are entitled to bail,” Garcetti replied. “What happens after the sentencing is a different story. Most times the sentences are appropriate, but other times they are too minor.”

Garcetti cited the police officers in the beating trial of Rodney G. King, and Damian Williams in the beating trial of Reginald O. Denny, as examples of defendants who he believes should have received more severe sentences.