Over the past few years, the use of body cameras on police officers has become more and more commonplace. The introduction of cameras has made it possible to corroborate testimonies provided by police, suspects, and witnesses, which ideally makes it an incredibly useful tool for everyone involved.
First of all, the presence of body cameras during the course of a traffic stop or an arrest certainly helps the people that the police are serving. For example, a case concerning body camera footage in Baltimore has resulted in hundreds of cases being dropped due to unlawful arrest procedures — specifically, planting drugs on suspects to justify arrests.
Most police officers tend to be more careful about following the proper procedure when they know that they are being recorded – this is something that is true in all walks of life. For example, a cashier is more likely to be doing everything by the book if there are in-store cameras. Not only does this protect citizens, it also helps prevent police officers from making careless mistakes.
Cameras also protect police by providing evidence that they have made a legal arrest or stop and that they followed the proper protocol. Not only can body cameras help both citizens and police officers, they can also help to improve the relationship between them.
Citizens will feel much more at ease knowing that any conversation they are having with officers is being recorded, which means that they will be more willing to follow directions and less likely to put up any kind of resistance if they are being arrested because they know that their compliance is being recorded.
Interestingly but not surprisingly given how memory works, police testimony does not always match what appears on camera, especially during high-stress situations. Of course, the same can be said for suspects and witnesses. However, police departments have the advantage of viewing video before filing reports, giving them a chance to “get their story straight.”
Anyone concerned about state surveillance naturally objects to there being more cameras on the streets. It’s important to restrict how police camera data can be used.
Cameras without audio playback leave room for interpretation of the recorded events. And of course, if an officer gets to choose when to start recording, this can lead to video as skewed and one-sided as civilian cell phone videos. Because of this, departments need to emphasize transparency and compliance with best practices.
Critics also point out that without cultural change throughout the practice of policing, cameras are simply a distraction from real institutional issues that particularly affect communities of color. Proponents of body cameras counter that they are just one way of many to build trust and accountability for police and civilians alike.
As a relatively new practice, body cameras have not proven to protect officers or eliminate profiling and wrongful arrests. The academics in criminal justice will have to collect and analyze data over time to measure how well they really work, and for whom. Meanwhile, the need for effective representation in court isn’t going anywhere.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A black man was pulled over by Salt River Police Department while visiting from out of town. Despite showing no signs of impairment, the officers arrested him and charged him with DUI Drugs. We investigated the case heavily and interviewed every officer involved. Ultimately, a motion to suppress was filed and granted after an evidentiary hearing before a Judge.
A man was charged with attacking a family with a knife. After reviewing the evidence, it was determined that the instrument used was not a knife at all. The Grand Jury had been misled, so we filed a motion challenging the grand jury presentation. The prosecutor, confronted with the truth, agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor with no jail time.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A man was out on a walk and was stopped by police because he was in the area of an attempted vehicle theft. The man maintained his innocence, but the owner of the truck identified him as the man he saw attempt to steal it. We worked tirelessly to prepare a defense and get the prosecution to see reason. The State wouldn’t budge, so the case went to trial. After a 4 day trial, the jury took approximately 10 minutes to return a Not Guilty verdict.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A client was charged with resist arrest after being targeted by police during the protests of Summer 2020. Our firm developed a strategy with activists and members of the media that led to a dismissal of our client’s case and, eventually, all cases connected to the political prosecution of the protesters.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A woman and her boyfriend were arguing over the cleaning of their apartment. The police were called after things escalated and the woman was arrested. The Mesa City Prosecutors originally wanted the woman to do jail time. After working the case and providing background information, we were able to get the prosecutor to allow the woman to complete classes in exchange for a dismissal.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
We have experience managing violent cases that fall under the categories of murder and manslaughter. Out of respect for all Nava Law Firm clients that fall under this case type, we are not providing any information on our website. If you or a loved one have been charged with one of these serious charges, do not speak to police officers and please contact our firm immediately to get a free consultation.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
