Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, Major Crimes Division

da.lacounty.gov · Law Practice · Founded 1850

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is the largest local prosecutorial office in the United States. Members of the District Attorney’s staff strive to vigorously, effectively and fairly prosecute all those who break laws in Los Angeles County and see that those convicted are appropriately punished. Nearly 1,000 attorneys, known as deputy district attorneys, prosecute serious crimes called felonies throughout Los Angeles County. Deputy district attorneys are prosecutors who represent the people of the State of California. They review investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies and decide whether there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges. They also decide what charge or charges, if any, are appropriate based on the evidence presented. Prosecutors handle court proceedings, including trials, that may follow the filing of criminal charges. They also prosecute less serious crimes known as misdemeanors in unincorporated areas and in 78 of the county’s 88 cities. Ten cities, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica and Pasadena, have city prosecutors who handle misdemeanor crimes and municipal code violations that occur within their jurisdictions. The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes cases in a large geographical area covering 4,084 square miles. Its jurisdiction stretches from the Antelope Valley to Long Beach and from Pomona to Malibu. Los Angeles County, with more than 10 million residents, is the nation’s most populous county – larger in population than 42 states. A constitutionally elected district attorney leads the office. On Dec. 3, 2024, Nathan J. Hochman was sworn in as the 44th District Attorney of Los Angeles County.