To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE
title
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION TO STAFF ON EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTRACTING TO PROVIDE PROSECUTION SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH.
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Attorney's Office prosecutes State misdemeanors and Municipal Code violations that occur in Redondo Beach at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Southwest District. In addition, the City Attorney's Office provides misdemeanor prosecution services for the City of Hermosa Beach pursuant to a contract that was approved by the City Council in 2014. The City of Manhattan Beach has recently expressed interest in contracting with the City of Redondo Beach for Prosecution services including Homeless Court services. Based on preliminary research this may be feasible and of benefit to both cities. My office needs direction from the Mayor and City Council on whether to explore this further.
BACKGROUND
The City Attorney's Office prosecutes all criminal cases arising from misdemeanor violations of State law, the City Charter and City ordinances. This includes felony arrests referred back to the City Attorney's Office from the District Attorney.
The City Prosecutor's Division handles every criminal case from its inception, i.e. filing of a criminal case to trial and sometimes the appellate process. The prosecutors handle all the criminal cases (other than Homeless Court) at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Southwest District in Torrance, which is the same courthouse the City of Manhattan Beach cases are handled.
Our City Prosecutors are familiar with the types of criminal cases that are handled in the Beach Cities and are obviously familiar with the courthouse, the other prosecutors, the defense bar and the judges.
In 2014 the City Council adopted as one of its strategic goals, the provision of services to other entities to increase revenue and achieve savings while maintaining a high level of service. The contract with...
Click here for full text