agreed. I do not like that prosecutors can get away with covering up evidence that proves innocence. And the fact that some cops lie to the court. I am personally a victim of this one.
Prosecutors are not paid to convict, but often they do so to gain political favor. They have a legal obligation to bring forth evidence that can help the accused. Anything less than that is illegal and despicable.
The theory is that the prosecution is to serve justice, so that means that disclosing all evidence requested, including that tending to show an accused is innocent, is — and should be — mandatory. Sadly, people are easily led from this to mob justice, and as a result in many offices promotion (and for the head person, re-election) often depends on a conviction rate.
The story starts on the street with the cops, doing the job right, and getting evidence (NOT just witness statements proven to be unreliable in the majority of case!) that provides a prosecutor “probable cause” to pursue. Disclosure IS supposed to mean prosecutors reveal ALL relevant evidence to the defense prior to the trial. TV makes folks believe only one fingerprint is ever left on a drinking glass or a gun, and that all forensic evidence is developed in hours at most, and that only guilty people ever get arrested. That’s how it would be in a perfect world, but as humans, we ain’t perfect.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
A valid point in many cases in states with rather loose ways with dispensing the penalty, like Texas.
wolfhoundblues1 almost 10 years ago
agreed. I do not like that prosecutors can get away with covering up evidence that proves innocence. And the fact that some cops lie to the court. I am personally a victim of this one.
Theodore E. Lind Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Prosecutors are not paid to convict, but often they do so to gain political favor. They have a legal obligation to bring forth evidence that can help the accused. Anything less than that is illegal and despicable.
Spyderred almost 10 years ago
The theory is that the prosecution is to serve justice, so that means that disclosing all evidence requested, including that tending to show an accused is innocent, is — and should be — mandatory. Sadly, people are easily led from this to mob justice, and as a result in many offices promotion (and for the head person, re-election) often depends on a conviction rate.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
The story starts on the street with the cops, doing the job right, and getting evidence (NOT just witness statements proven to be unreliable in the majority of case!) that provides a prosecutor “probable cause” to pursue. Disclosure IS supposed to mean prosecutors reveal ALL relevant evidence to the defense prior to the trial. TV makes folks believe only one fingerprint is ever left on a drinking glass or a gun, and that all forensic evidence is developed in hours at most, and that only guilty people ever get arrested. That’s how it would be in a perfect world, but as humans, we ain’t perfect.