Social Connect
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY — Testifying at an Assembly hearing on criminal justice reform, New York State Bar Association President Glenn Lau-Kee today discussed three measures that he says would enhance public confidence in New York's justice system.
"When we consider justice, we must consider effective law enforcement that protects the public and, at the same time, ensures fairness to every individual who is at risk of losing his or her liberty," he told lawmakers.
Lau-Kee's recommendations came following research and analysis by the state Bar Association, which has designated them among its 2015 legislative priorities. They include mandatory videotaping of interrogation, changes to police lineups and requiring prosecutors to provide more information to defense attorneys prior to plea deals.
Lau-Kee said that keeping a camera rolling throughout the interrogation process would help put to rest concerns that police might have coerced a suspect's confession by using illegal tactics.
"If the interrogation were recorded and this type of dispute arose, everyone could view all activity during the interrogation. Instead of guessing based on testimony from interested parties, we would see and hear what took place," said Lau-Kee. "This would go a long way to assure a fair outcome."
On the topic of police lineups, he said, "There is an enormous amount of evidence that when a police officer who knows the identity of the suspect conducts the lineup he or she will, even unconsciously, lead the victim who is being asked to identify the individual who allegedly committed a crime. Thus, these types of lineups can be tainted."
The solution he proposed is to require that the lineup be conducted by an official who does not know the identity of the suspect.
As for information sharing, Lau Kee said, that oftentimes the defense is at a disadvantage because it does not know what information a prosecutor has, or what is in the police report. "If fairness is an objective, both the prosecutor and defense should have the same access to information. Admittedly, there are complexities to this exchange of discovery materials, such as protecting the identity of witnesses when needed, but the exchange of information would certainly enhance the public's confidence in believing that the resolution of a criminal case was fair and just."
The New York State Bar Association, with 74,000 members, is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.
news@eastniagarapost.com
"When we consider justice, we must consider effective law enforcement that protects the public and, at the same time, ensures fairness to every individual who is at risk of losing his or her liberty," he told lawmakers.
Lau-Kee's recommendations came following research and analysis by the state Bar Association, which has designated them among its 2015 legislative priorities. They include mandatory videotaping of interrogation, changes to police lineups and requiring prosecutors to provide more information to defense attorneys prior to plea deals.
Lau-Kee said that keeping a camera rolling throughout the interrogation process would help put to rest concerns that police might have coerced a suspect's confession by using illegal tactics.
"If the interrogation were recorded and this type of dispute arose, everyone could view all activity during the interrogation. Instead of guessing based on testimony from interested parties, we would see and hear what took place," said Lau-Kee. "This would go a long way to assure a fair outcome."
On the topic of police lineups, he said, "There is an enormous amount of evidence that when a police officer who knows the identity of the suspect conducts the lineup he or she will, even unconsciously, lead the victim who is being asked to identify the individual who allegedly committed a crime. Thus, these types of lineups can be tainted."
The solution he proposed is to require that the lineup be conducted by an official who does not know the identity of the suspect.
As for information sharing, Lau Kee said, that oftentimes the defense is at a disadvantage because it does not know what information a prosecutor has, or what is in the police report. "If fairness is an objective, both the prosecutor and defense should have the same access to information. Admittedly, there are complexities to this exchange of discovery materials, such as protecting the identity of witnesses when needed, but the exchange of information would certainly enhance the public's confidence in believing that the resolution of a criminal case was fair and just."
The New York State Bar Association, with 74,000 members, is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.
For instant access to East Niagara Post's YouTube videos, social media feeds and more,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are always appreciated. Your comment will be reviewed for approval before being made public.