When Police Are Arrested We All Suffer

I spent 15 years in the FBI. From the first day, until the last, one thought was drilled into my consciousness, and governed how I conducted my job: "Don't embarass the Bureau!" And this meant not only in the manner in which you performed your official duties, but extended to how you comported yourself in your "private life."

In the years since I left the Bureau, there have been a few reported instances --- serious incidents --- where Special Agents failed to live up to that edict. But the fallout of each indiscretion not only resulted in the censure, dismissal, or even prosecution of the particular agent, but tarnished the reputations of all other agents in the Bureau. This happens when any law enforcement agent steps over the line and comprises his oath to uphold the law and "defend the Constitution."

In sum, people begin to question the status quo. The public loses faith not only in that individual, but begins to question the integrity of his fellow officers who may rightfully think, "can we trust the other officers in this department?" This is a legitimate and expected response from a public already leary by newspaper accounts of dishonesty and misconduct  by state, local and federal law enforcement officers.

This is why when choosing a criminal defense attorney to represent you or a loved one, your selection should be based on the attorney's reputation for getting things done right, conducting a thorough investigation of the underlying facts, and fighting to pry loose information that the prosecutor and the investigators don't want you to see. Your attorney should be willing to ask the hard questions, not accept on face value what appears to be valid and legal, and put the investigator, the prosecutors, and their evidence on trial!

If you or a loved one if facing seriuous misdemeanor or felony charges in state or federal court in Virginia, contact my office for a free 15-minute consultation.