Abuse of Power in a Good Cause

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | June 19, 2012

No. 856

There is a sound bite all over the news today of Ed Rendell, former Governor of Pennsylvania but also former Philadelphia DA, stating that in a case like Sandusky, “every prosecutor knows” that you should bring the case even if you don’t have enough evidence because prosecution will act as a deterrent.

I’ll bet.  So will being unjustly convicted and serving time in jail.

A prosecutor has the power to turn anybody’s life upside down.  That power should only be used when a dispassionate evaluation of the evidence yields a strong belief that the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  That rule applies to suspected pedophiles, too.

That’s what America is all about.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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