Apr 25
Help! I Think the Prosecutor Mishandled My Case: What Can I Do?
by Anonymous
If you feel like the prosecutor mishandled your case, don't worry, you're not alone. Many people feel that their case wasn't handled fairly by the prosecution. In some cases, this can lead to a better outcome for the defendant.
Prosecutors have one main job: to bring criminals to justice. Their role is to present evidence of the crime before a judge and jury. They are some of the most powerful figures in the criminal justice system because they have the right to decide who to charge and what crimes to prosecute. As such, the Washington State Bar holds them to very high legal and ethical standards.
Prosecutors, however, do not always make the right decisions. They are elected in Washington and, therefore, are heavily involved in politics. At the federal level, they are political appointees and have serious career ambitions. This does not always make them unethical. However, there are times when prosecutors do mishandle cases.
Top Ways a Prosecutor May Mishandle Your Case
- A prosecutor can mishandle a case in many ways. However, some of the most common ways include:
- Disparaging a defendant
- Abusing power
- Failure to disclose exculpatory evidence
- Introducing false evidence
- Discriminating in jury selection
- Entrapment
- Bringing criminal charges in bad faith
- Making statements to media that prejudice jury pool
- Engaging in improper plea-bargaining
Harmful prosecutor misconduct can result in the dismissal of charges against you or in some cases a mistrial. To show that the prosecutor mishandled your case, you must show that the prosecutor willfully engaged in misconduct. This misconduct must have affected your case and harmed your ability to have a fair trial.
5 Ways You Can Get a Better Outcome in Your Criminal Case
If you are the victim of prosecutor misconduct or if you believe that the prosecutor mishandled your case, you deserve a chance to seek vindication and justice. There are steps you can take to get a better outcome in your criminal case.
- Hire a criminal defense attorney with experience handling Seattle cases. With an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance at a favorable outcome.
- Discuss filing a motion to recuse the prosecutor. If you believe that the prosecutor has mishandled your case, you can file a motion to recuse the prosecutor. This means that the prosecutor will be removed from your case and another one will be appointed.
- Discuss filing a motion to dismiss the charges. In some cases, you may also be able to file a motion to dismiss the charges. This is usually only granted if there is a lack of evidence or if the prosecution has made serious errors.
- Go to trial. If you decide to go to trial, it is important to remember that you have the right to a fair trial and that you should not hesitate to exercise this right.
- Appeal the decision. Lastly, if you are unhappy with the outcome of your criminal case, you can always appeal the decision.
If you believe that your prosecutor is guilty of malicious prosecution, you may be able to sue and seek financial damages for your pain and suffering. The law allows for defendants to file a malicious prosecution lawsuit as a way of preventing legal abuse.
Contact Our Experienced Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Seattle criminal defense attorneys at Lewis & Laws have defended thousands of individuals who have been charged with crimes across the state. We know that prosecutors do not always act fairly, and we work hard to protect our clients and their rights throughout the criminal process and trial.
If you are worried that the prosecutor has mishandled your case from the start, call us today. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our online contact form. We can protect your future - call us today!