LA COUNTY DA GIVEN BROAD NEW EVICTION POWERS

Los Angeles County prosecutors will be allowed to evict tenants who sell
illegal drugs on rental property-even if their landlords turn a blind
eye-under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Pete Wilson.

The measure, authored by Assemblywoman Sally Havice, D-Artesia, approves a
three-year pilot project in five Los Angeles County courts. It takes effect
Jan. 1.

Under current law, only a landlord has the authority to evict a tenant who
is dealing drugs. Many landlords choose not to do so because they are
intimidated by their tenants.

The current law also requires that even if only one person in an apartment
unit is dealing drugs, all residents have to be evicted. The new legislation
would allow for partial eviction, meaning only the person dealing drugs
would be forced out.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst