Amid the continuation of unrest and flash mob-style looting incidents in Los Angeles, California is making a significant pivot toward tougher criminal enforcement. Criminal defense attorney David Wohl told Fox News Digital that the legal consequences are no longer a slap on the wrist for looters following the reversal of Proposition 47, which notably did not criminalize theft under $950.
‘Now we have a very conservative, hard-charging DA in Los Angeles,’ Wohl said. ‘He’s adding up what is stolen by each individual co-defendant, and if that’s over $950, everybody’s getting charged with felonies.’
In a city once known for turning a blind eye to petty theft and soft prosecution, looters who are taking advantage of protests over federal immigration operations now face stricter penalties. The shift stems from a growing rejection of the previous criminal justice model championed by former District Attorney George Gascon, who Wohl described as ‘more liberal than a lot of public defenders.’
Under Gascon’s leadership, prosecution was often delayed or diminished, with an emphasis on giving offenders ‘second, third, fourth, fifth chances,’ Wohl said. The situation has changed dramatically with the passing of Proposition 36, a ballot initiative approved by California voters in 2024 that seeks to restore the ability to file felony charges against repeat offenders, regardless of whether their latest crime falls under the $950 limit. Additionally, it enhances penalties for group theft and organized looting, which had previously fallen into legal gray areas under Prop 47.
The reversal of Proposition 47, which reclassified several nonviolent felonies, including shoplifting, theft, and drug possession, as misdemeanors if the value involved was $950 or less, was the result of public discontent. Critics had argued that the measure contributed to a noticeable increase in retail theft and emboldened looters. Now, the passage of Proposition 36 signals a clear return to stricter enforcement and reflects a shift in the state’s approach to criminal justice.
Meanwhile, the ongoing anti-ICE protests have created an environment ripe for looting. Storefronts in downtown Los Angeles have been targeted by groups of individuals, with Apple and Adidas among the stores hit. Local business owners have expressed their frustrations, with one stating, ‘I don’t know what they have done with the business.’
Law professor William Jacobson from Cornell University and founder of EqualProtect.org offered a sharp critique of the state’s criminal justice policies in light of the situation. ‘Looting and violence have always been illegal, even in California,’ Jacobson told Fox News Digital. ‘Unfortunately, California’s lax enforcement of the criminal laws, including the former decriminalization of shoplifting, has created a culture of criminality that has played out in numerous riots over the years.’
As the protests continue, businesses are taking steps to protect their properties. A T-Mobile store on the corner of 3rd Street and Broadway has started boarding up ahead of likely another night of protests. Meanwhile, a security guard is protecting the property, and a repairer works on the CVS store on the corner of 7th and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles after several nights of rioting.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also issued a blunt message to potential looters and rioters. ‘If you loot a business in California during this, we’re charging you with robbery under the Hobbs Act. No longer are the days of non-prosecution for looting. It’s a criminal act,’ she said on ‘Fox & Friends.’
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also made it clear that the administration is determined to crack down on those who inflict harm on law enforcement. ‘Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities,’ Bass said on X. ‘You will be held accountable.’