For a District Attorney who campaigned on “restoring public trust,” Nathan Hochman’s early record tells a different story – one of chasing headlines, losing cases, and failing to address real public safety concerns.
In less than a year, Hochman has suffered two major courtroom embarrassments: the botched attempt to block the Menendez brothers’ resentencing and the high-profile implosion of the A$AP Rocky assault trial. Both were supposed to cement his tough-on-crime image. Both backfired. Spectacularly.
The Menendez Brothers – A Political Misfire
Hochman’s aggressive opposition to the resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez ignored new evidence, public support, and the brothers’ own track record of rehabilitation. Despite spending decades leading inmate programs, mentoring fellow prisoners, and championing restorative justice behind bars — with zero expectation of ever getting out — the brothers were still painted by Hochman as “self-serving liars.”
Veteran defense attorney Mark Geragos, who led the brothers’ resentencing fight, didn’t hold back:
“Nathan Hochman made a calculated decision to politicize this case. He ignored evidence, ignored the family, and ignored reality — all for a headline. That’s not justice. That’s grandstanding.”
Geragos further slammed Hochman’s refusal to acknowledge the brothers’ rehabilitation:
“For over thirty years, Lyle and Erik have done the work — not for parole, but because it was right. Hochman’s position isn’t about public safety. It’s about pretending to be ‘tough on crime’ at the expense of actual facts.”
In the end, the court wasn’t buying it. Judge Michael Jesic ruled in favor of resentencing, making the brothers parole-eligible and handing Hochman a public defeat.
The A$AP Rocky Trial — Courtroom Theater Gone Wrong
Hochman’s second high-profile failure came in the form of the A$AP Rocky assault trial, prosecuted by embattled Deputy DA John Lewin. What was intended as a slam-dunk case turned into a circus of weak evidence, inflammatory claims, and courtroom theatrics.
Once again, the jury wasn’t convinced. The result: acquittal. The optics: disastrous.
Geragos was blunt about Hochman’s media-driven prosecution strategy:
“It’s become Hochman’s pattern — chase the biggest name in the headline, throw together a flimsy case, and hope the media applause drowns out the facts. But courtrooms aren’t press conferences. Eventually, you have to win a case.”
Meanwhile, Violent Crime Is Left Unaddressed
While Hochman pours resources into PR-friendly prosecutions, violent crimes like home invasions, follow-home robberies, and organized retail thefts continue to surge across Los Angeles. Critics argue Hochman has shown little interest in tackling these immediate threats to public safety.
Geragos pulled no punches:
“The people of Los Angeles deserve a DA who focuses on protecting them — not protecting his image. Hochman is playing to the cameras while residents are dealing with real crime in their neighborhoods.”
The Hypocrisy: Hochman’s Gascón Problem
Adding fuel to the fire, Hochman’s prior support of rehabilitation programs at San Quentin — mirroring many of George Gascón’s policies — undermines his own tough-on-crime branding. When politically convenient, Hochman praises rehabilitation. But when the media spotlight’s on, that stance disappears.
“Hochman wants to be Gascón-lite when it’s safe, then suddenly ‘law and order’ when the cameras are rolling,” Geragos said. “You can’t have it both ways. Either you believe in justice reform or you don’t. The Menendez case exposed his hypocrisy.”
Bottom Line: A DA Focused on Optics, Not Outcomes
Two headline cases. Two public failures. And a rising violent crime crisis with no meaningful action from the DA’s office.
Nathan Hochman’s early tenure reveals a leader more concerned with manufacturing a tough-on-crime image than delivering real results. As public trust erodes and courtroom losses mount, his political strategy of chasing high-profile cases — while neglecting actual community safety — is catching up to him.
Geragos’ final shot summed it up best:
“Hochman’s scoreboard is simple: Zero wins. Two spectacular losses. The question now is — how many more can Los Angeles afford?”
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