DA Wants to Limit Bar's Authority to Punish Prosecutors

By TChris, Section Misconduct
Posted on Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 07:39:00 AM EST
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Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr recognized the "win at all costs" culture of her office when she began her job. What's she done about it?

It was recently revealed that Santa Clara prosecutors hoarded hundreds of videotapes of sexual assault examinations provided by hospital staff but never turned over to the defense. Prosecutors are under investigation (and one has been scolded) by the state bar for withholding evidence (including an expert witness' conclusion) in other cases. Granted, many of the transgressions predated Carr's election to office in 2007, but Carr's claim that she's taking steps to change the office culture is not reassuring.

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Carr responded to outside criticisms of prosecutors' conduct, including state disciplinary attention, by assuring a gathering of county prosecutors last week that none of them was going to be "thrown under a bus" and that she was actively trying to limit the state bar's authority to punish errant prosecutors.

Does Carr really believe that limiting the authority to discipline cheaters is an effective strategy for changing an office culture that condones cheating?

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DA Wants to Limit Bar's Authority to Punish Prosecutors | 2 comments (2 topical)

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um, i think you've missed the point. (none / 0) (#1)
by cpinva on Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 10:33:58 AM EST

were that her actual purpose, then clearly the answer would be a resounding "NO!". of course, that isn't her obvious purpose at all, it's to protect her people from any personal responsibility for their actions/inactions. otherwise, she'd never be able to hire anyone for the jobs. or so we're constantly told, by those in the law enforcement industry.

That is ridiculous. (none / 0) (#2)
by Joelarama on Mon Feb 09, 2009 at 04:58:16 PM EST

And, at least in jurisdictions I'm familiar with, prosecutors are very quick to report anything about defense attorneys (including private matters that allegedly bear upon fitness) that will get them investigated by the Bar.