Calls Grow for LA City Attorney Candidate Marissa Roy to Drop Out Over Prosecution Freeze Ties

Critics fear Roy could revive controversial plan to halt misdemeanor prosecutions for 100 days if elected

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A political battle erupted at Los Angeles City Hall as a slate of candidates demanded that DSA-backed City Attorney hopeful Marissa Roy quit the race over her role in crafting a proposal to halt misdemeanor prosecutions for 100 days. Critics argue the plan would give criminals a free pass and undermine public safety, while Roy's campaign says many low-level offenses are better addressed through diversion and treatment rather than traditional prosecution.

Why it matters

The City Attorney's office in Los Angeles is responsible for prosecuting misdemeanors, which include crimes like theft, vandalism, trespassing, and public intoxication that directly impact neighborhoods. Opponents fear that if elected, Roy could revive the 100-day moratorium proposal, which they say would lead to a spike in disorder and undermine hard-won public safety gains.

The details

Internal documents show that Marissa Roy participated in discussions around the proposed 100-day pause on certain misdemeanor prosecutions during the 2022 election. Her campaign website highlights a reform-focused, non-carceral approach to low-level offenses, stating that many stem from poverty, mental illness or addiction and are better handled through diversion and treatment. However, critics argue this amounts to soft-on-crime policies that would put public safety at risk.

  • In 2022, Marissa Roy helped shape a campaign promise to halt new misdemeanor filings for roughly three months.
  • The backlash over the proposed moratorium was a political earthquake in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral race.

The players

Marissa Roy

A Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed candidate running for Los Angeles City Attorney, who was involved in crafting a controversial proposal to halt misdemeanor prosecutions for 100 days.

Raul Claros

A candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 1, who is calling for Marissa Roy to resign from the City Attorney race.

Eunisses Hernandez

The current Los Angeles City Councilmember for District 1, who has endorsed Marissa Roy's City Attorney campaign.

Maria 'Lou' Calanche

Another candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 1, who is urging Councilmember Hernandez to withdraw her endorsement of Marissa Roy.

Eddie Hoff

A moderate candidate running for Los Angeles City Council on the Westside, who blasted any prosecution moratorium as 'the worst thing you can possibly do.'

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.