The Hard Middle

Street takeovers have become a public safety crisis in Los Angeles. On Christmas night 2022, a black Camaro spun out of control at Florence and Crenshaw...and a 24-year-old nursing student never made it home. This is the story of what justice looks like when speed, spectacle, and tragedy collide.

In California, a life sentence doesn't always mean life. This episode of The Hard Middle explores what happens when well-intentioned laws are applied as blanket rules, without scrutiny, without nuance...and without regard for the people left behind. Darryl Collins was 24 years old when he killed two people in the span of 11 days. He was supposed to spend the rest of his life in prison. But two dec...

For more than two decades, a serial killer stalked the streets of South Los Angeles -- preying on women, leaving families shattered, and stumping investigators at every turn. This is the story of how a cold case that seemed impossible to crack was finally solved thanks to dogged prosecutors, determined detectives, and a breakthrough in DNA science that changed policing forever. Deputy District Att...

From the classroom to the courtroom...nothing will get you there quicker than a job in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. It is our creed and for Deputy District Attorney Jessica Villalvazo, a first-generation college graduate from the San Fernando Valley, it is a dream come true. Follow Jessica as she navigates a complicated misdemeanor case while learning what it means to resist...

In this episode of The Hard Middle, we explore one of the most challenging aspects of criminal justice: determining appropriate sentences for those who commit crimes. Through the lens of the Michelle Avan murder case, we examine how prosecutors balance accountability with fairness. Michelle Avan was a prominent Bank of America executive and beloved community leader who was brutally murdered by her...

On a sunny Tuesday on December 3rd 2024, Nathan Hochman was sworn in as Los Angeles County's 44th District Attorney, promising to restore trust and hold criminals accountable. But just weeks later, one of his first major actions wasn't locking someone up—it was celebrating their freedom. In this premiere episode, we are introduced to DA Hochman and his "hard middle" approach to justice: an approac...

Welcome to The Hard Middle In an era dominated by political division and viral headlines, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office under Nathan Hochman is charting a different path. This isn't about being soft on crime or tough on crime—it's about being smart on justice. The Hard Middle takes you inside the nation's largest local prosecutorial office to explore cases that matter, people w...