L.A. County District Attorney Ethics: Commentary and Sources

Article overview: I have practiced in the Los Angeles County legal community for more than 23 years. During that time, I have appeared opposite hundreds of deputy district attorneys and, despite vigorous disagreements in court, I have never publicly criticized or complained about a prosecutor. That changed with this…

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I have practiced in the Los Angeles County legal community for more than 23 years. During that time, I have appeared opposite hundreds of deputy district attorneys and, despite vigorous disagreements in court, I have never publicly criticized or complained about a prosecutor. That changed with this case. Based on my personal observations and experience, Deputy District Attorney Jin Lee has exhibited litigation conduct that I believe falls well below the professional and ethical standards expected of a prosecutor. In my opinion, he has repeatedly disregarded the court’s in limine rulings, attempted to place inadmissible evidence before the jury, and read hearsay—including multiple layers of hearsay—into the record despite valid evidence. In my view, this conduct reflects a troubling disregard for the rules of evidence and for the prosecutor’s unique obligation to seek justice rather than merely obtain convictions.

In my opinion, this type of prosecutorial conduct presents a significant risk to the fairness and integrity of criminal proceedings. Every person accused of a crime is constitutionally entitled to a fair trial before an impartial tribunal, where the verdict is based only on competent, admissible evidence. When a prosecutor repeatedly ignores evidentiary rulings or attempts to circumvent the rules governing admissibility, the reliability of the proceeding is undermined. Based on my experience in this case, I would urge defense counsel appearing opposite Deputy District Attorney Jin Lee to be exceptionally vigilant in preserving the record, making timely objections, and carefully documenting any conduct they believe may prejudice their clients’ constitutional rights.

Why public-record ethics analysis matters

District-attorney ethics are not a branding exercise. Charging power, disclosure duties, conflicts and treatment of defendants must be assessed against identifiable conduct and public records. Strong criticism is most durable when the evidence and the conclusion remain visibly connected.

Continue with related legal and ethics analysis.

Related reading: For related context, read Federal Immigration Enforcement and the Supremacy Clause, California Bail Conditions: What Courts Require, People v. Houston: When a Phone Call Is Not Enough.