When Cops Are Charged With Crimes, They Need Experienced Legal Representation
In recent years, interactions between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve have reached a fever pitch. Unlike the 1990s, when such tensions seemed to be limited to the Los Angeles Police Department in incidents such as the Rodney King beating and the O.J. Simpson trial, police relations have now become a daily news topic all across the country. Police actions are being scrutinized more closely than ever. And now, perhaps as never before, police officers are facing criminal charges for actions they take in the line of duty. Right here in Miami, a Miami-Dade sergeant was charged with misdemeanor battery after slapping a handcuffed teenager. The Miami Herald reports that another officer on the scene is also being charged with felony tampering with evidence.
An officer can face many levels of investigation in a case such as this. First, there is usually an immediate department investigation by Internal Affairs or another administrative board. This process can go through several levels of bureaucracy before a decision is reached. Next, a criminal investigation may be conducted by another law enforcement agency or prosecutor. If the criminal investigation supports charges, the officer may find him- or herself on the receiving end of an arrest for a change. And separate and distinct from any criminal trial is the civil court process, by which an officer may be ordered to pay a civil judgment. The outcome of a criminal trial can affect each of these results. It is therefore important to hire one’s own, experienced law enforcement defense attorney to defend any charges. The experienced law enforcement defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney can help protect both your constitutional rights during the investigation and prosecution of any crime arising from actions taken in the line of duty. Call (305) 615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation.
The Brady List
Unfortunately, a criminal conviction is not the only consequence a law enforcement officer can experience after an investigation. Most officers are familiar with the infamous “Brady List.” The term comes from a 1963 United States Supreme Court ruling in Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83. There, the Court held that due process requires defendants to have access to any potentially exculpatory information. This includes evidence that may impact the credibility of government witnesses – especially law enforcement officers who are testifying against the defendant. An officer who has a conviction for any crime arising in the line of duty, or crimes that bear on his or her reputation for truthfulness and honesty, will find his or her name on the “Brady List.” This can affect one’s future employability within the law enforcement community.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are an officer who has been charged with a crime in your official capacity, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney. An attorney from your law enforcement agency cannot protect your legal rights during the criminal case process, and a prosecutor for the city, county, state, or federal government will be actively working to secure a conviction against you. The experienced law enforcement defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney can help protect both your constitutional rights during the investigation and prosecution of any crime arising from actions taken in the line of duty. Call (305) 615-1285 today to arrange your free phone consultation. You can also reach us online by submitting our online contact form.
Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney handles a variety of criminal law cases, so call now if you have any questions.
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