Los Angeles gets tough with political protesters

From left, Hamid Khan, Alma Soto, Chloe Osmer and Garrick Ruiz were among those arrested during protests last year at the Metropolitan Detention Center, background, against Arizona's immigration law. Under a new policy of the Los Angeles city attorney, they face the possibility of jail time. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times / February 10, 2011)

For acts of political protest that his predecessor treated as mere infractions, Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich is seeking jail time.

Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich is throwing the book at dozens of people arrested during recent political demonstrations — a major shift in city policy that has him pressing for jail time in types of cases that previous prosecutors had treated as infractions.

The new policy, he added, was designed with an eye on what he called "professional" protesters who demonstrate repeatedly — sometimes for pay, he said — and never seem to be punished for their illegal activities. STORY HERE