Orange County D.A. Dissolves 13 Gang Injunctions Affecting 317 People

The Orange County District Attorney's Office, led by Todd Spitzer, has moved to dissolve 13 longstanding gang injunctions affecting 317 individuals across multiple cities, including Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Fullerton. This decision follows the passage of California Assembly Bill 333, which narrowed the legal definition of gang-related activity and required stronger evidence for gang enhancements, reflecting a shift in legal and enforcement strategies. While gang injunctions were originally intended as temporary civil orders to restrict suspected gang members' association and behavior within certain zones, their dissolution responds to legal challenges, including claims of racial bias under the California Racial Justice Act. Spitzer emphasized that the injunctions have served their purpose and highlighted ongoing commitment to gang crime prevention through initiatives like the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership. The move was supported by local law enforcement and signals a reevaluation of tools used to address gang crime, with injunctions remaining a legal but less favored option. This transition aligns with broader trends in California's approach to balancing public safety with civil rights concerns.