Change Sought in Police Report Filing Policy

In the wake of the unscheduled release of seven teenagers from custody this week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich said Friday that he will ask the district attorney’s office to drop a seven-month policy that critics say allows dangerous youths to go free.

Under the policy, police must file reports by 11 a.m. to the district attorney’s office in the San Fernando Valley Juvenile Hall courthouse in Sylmar.

Under state law, suspects must be released within 48 hours if charges are not filed against them.

The 11 a.m. rule was imposed to give prosecutors enough time to review the cases and file charges, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Laura Foland-Priver.

But Antonovich said the deadline jeopardizes the safety of communities, largely because when police are late, juveniles are automatically released from custody even if they have been held less than 48 hours.

“Under the district attorney’s policy, 11 a.m. is now the checkout time for lawbreakers,” Antonovich said. “Criminals don’t schedule their crimes to suit the district attorney.”

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The issue was triggered by the release Wednesday of seven teenagers, including gang members arrested in stolen cars and one arrested with a loaded gun, because the police failed to meet the morning deadline. Foland-Priver said police could have notified her that they would be late.

The Sylmar court had the highest number of juvenile cases reviewed last year--5,393. It also had the highest number of felonious assault cases--454--and the highest number of residential burglary cases--506, officials said.

Because of that volume, deputy district attorneys say they need as much time as possible to handle their workload.

“It’s not time for sweeping changes,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Tom Higgins, who oversees five of the nine county juvenile divisions. “The overall policy is intended to have some consistency . . . and to try to balance all our interests.”

But Chuck Waldon, the Probation Department’s supervising deputy in Sylmar, said the deadline is too rigid: “I think there should be more latitude. Eleven o’clock seems a little tight.”