The work of eight police officers stretching back to 2001 was called into question due to police misconduct.

The misconduct included:

• Perjury
• Selling controlled substances
• Unlawful searches
• Accepting bribes
• Stealing evidence
• Doctoring photo lineups

At least one officer pled guilty to pressuring women into giving him sexual favors in return for release. Another faced felony sexual abuse charges. 

The former officers have themselves been convicted of these crimes. Meanwhile, Judge Kevin B. McGrath Jr. dismissed 188 of these police officer’s convictions. 

Most of the cases that are being dismissed are for possession or sale of a controlled substance, including marijuana, and for driving-related offenses. Despite these being minor crimes, those who are convicted of such offenses continue to face difficulties finding employment and housing. 

None of the convictions which stand to be vacated involve current incarcerations but clearing the records of the individuals who are convicted of these crimes will still go a long way towards helping them repair their lives. 

Common Police Behavior

Some of the crimes listed above are just “business as usual” for police officers across the nation. 

The problem of law enforcement officers who lie on the stand is so pervasive that it even has its own name: testilying. 

Officers have been caught planting evidence, giving firsthand accounts of crimes they didn’t witness, making up details about crimes, and falsifying evidence. 

One reason why they get away with it is the fact that 92% of cases end up in plea deals. That means these officers don’t get cross examined and the lies never make their way into the public eye. 

Proof that Innocent Defendants Need Lawyers Too

When you’re being charged with a crime your innocence alone will never be enough to protect you. As this situation shows, there are just too many incentives for law enforcement and prosecutors to lie and cut corners, and those actions can have a profound impact on the outcome of any criminal case.

There are too many people who believe that convicting innocent people is a perfectly reasonable price to pay if it means putting more guilty people away.

If you or a loved one is being charged with a crime, don’t trust in the goodwill of any police officer or prosecutor. Get a criminal defense attorney whose sole goal is to protect your rights and your interests.

In trouble right now? Schedule a case review today. 

See also:

Brooklyn Vacates 378 Convictions

When Can You Be Accused of Resisting Arrest in NYC? 

Why Good Defense Lawyers Accept Guilty Clients