Dozens of felony drug cases are scheduled to be dismissed shortly in San Francisco due to alleged police misconduct, and hundreds more may be dismissed in the near future. The cases are scheduled to be dismissed after videos surfaced that allegedly show undercover police officers stealing from drug suspects. The officers involved deny any wrongdoing. But, due to concerns regarding the officers' credibility and facing the specter of the officers possibly pleading the Fifth Amendment, the District Attorney's Office decided to dismiss the felony drug cases. All of the officers involved have been reassigned pending an internal investigation.
Police testimony is the lynch pin of most criminal cases. Even in cases where physical evidence ties the accused to the crime, police testimony regarding the collection, handling and testing of that evidence is crucial to show that evidence is reliable. When the credibility of police are effectively challenged, even a seemingly 'open and shut case' can take an unexpected turn. A good example of this is the O.J. Simpson murder case. In the Simpson case, police and prosecutors thought the evidence made for a certain conviction. However, the defense was able to effectively undermine the credibility of officers, leading to the acquittal of O.J. Simpson.
Whether you are a police officer who is accused of misconduct or a person who is the victim of alleged misconduct, it is important to contact a Las Vegas Criminal Attorney immediately. A Las Vegas Criminal Lawyer can assist you in analyzing the facts of your case, assessing possible courses of action and advising you as to the most effective legal strategy to meet your litigation goals.