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In May of this year, 50 separate murder cases were declared to be under review at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office due to poor police work by the detective who handled all the cases. In fact, at the time the cases went under review, one man had already been released after 23 years in prison for the supposed murder of a Jewish rabbi. According to authorities, the detective in charge of the case was working in tandem with the prosecuting attorney, meaning that evidence was being skewed against the defendants. In addition, some people reported that the detective conducted interviews without any notes, allowed informants out of jail to visit prostitutes, and told witnesses who to pick out of suspect lineups. Unfortunately, this detective’s conduct is not a singular occurrence, and experts say that such behavior was all too common during the late 1980s and 1990s. Government standards for prosecutors and detectives are becoming stricter, and cases of wrongful conviction occur much less than they did a few decades ago. Still, such instances point out the importance of getting a good Brooklyn criminal lawyer when you are accused of wrongdoing. As every school child knows, in America, you are “innocent until proven guilty.” In court, it must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” that a person is guilty. That means that a criminal lawyer has ample opportunity to prove that evidence brought before the court is questionable or incomplete. This means that the burden of proof lies on the prosecution, and a defense attorney’s job is to call into question the evidence a prosecuting attorney brings to the case. This does involve a tremendous amount of research on his part because he needs to know every detail of the case that could be helpful in proving his client innocent. For example, he might cross examine witnesses to prove they have poor eyesight, are not mentally capable of providing solid evidence, or are too emotionally invested to provide incontrovertible proof. A criminal attorney might also visit the scene of the crime and find physical evidence that someone other than his client was guilty of the crime. When we hear of people like those in Brooklyn who have been incarcerated for decades for crimes they did not commit, our heart goes out to them. Though nothing can ever bring back the years they lost in prison, their stories can at least inspire a firmer commitment to justice and fair trial practices. The most important job of a Brooklyn criminal lawyer is making sure his client receives a fair trial and is given every opportunity to prove his innocence. Victor Knapp is a seasoned Brooklyn criminal lawyer who for 30 years has been fighting diligently for the rights of his clients. Victor Knapp believes in open communication with his clients and will keep you informed at every step of the New York criminal process. He makes sure he is available to address your concerns, and he will involve you in the dynamics and strategies of your case. He will meticulously review the prosecution’s evidence, bringing in expert testimony if necessary. Contact Victor Knapp today at 718-263-9000 or via the web at www.victorknapp.com.
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