The comments included both political and racially-charged
Deputy District Attorney Michael Selyem, the lead prosecutor of San Bernardino County’s Central Hardcore Gang Unit, is facing calls for his dismissal after Facebook posts and comments involving insensitive language and racially-charged views were made public. According to the Orange County Register, he is the subject of an internal investigation.
Selyem presides over a gang unit that is tasked with prosecuting criminal gang activity in Riverside County. Many of the gangs that are targeted by the Hardcore Gang Unit have predominantly Latino membership. His position as a prosecutor may make some of his postings particularly problematic. This includes a comment on an article about a police shooting of a civilian, where Selyem stated “That s—bag got exactly what he deserved….You reap what you sow…” He also posted a picture of a man in a giant sombrero with the caption “Mexican word of the day: Hide.”
While these posts may simply be a matter of Selyem exercising his right to express his opinion on politics and other matters, they do raise concerns about his ability to remain impartial. If he openly expresses what many perceive as racist sentiments towards Latinos and other races and ethnic groups, can he be fair when deciding how to prosecute charges involving Latinos? If he is commenting about police shootings of civilians, is that a conflict if his office is investigating that same shooting — or a different one?
These questions will likely be addressed by the internal investigation conducted by the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office. However, issues such as these demonstrate the importance of working with a highly experienced criminal defense attorney San Bernardino, CA. A lawyer who knows the system and understands the politics at play can better advocate for his or her clients when negotiating a plea deal. Your criminal defense attorney San Bernardino, CA should be aware of these issues, including how to best work with individual prosecutors, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
At the Chambers Law Firm, our team includes a former prosecutor and law enforcement professionals. We understand how the system works, and we use our in-depth knowledge of it to help our clients. Our dedication to our clients, combined with our years of experience and passion for criminal justice, helps us to achieve results. Depending on the facts of your case, this may include a dismissal of charges, reduction of charges, or a more favorable plea deal. Contact our office today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney San Bernardino, CA. Initial consultations are always free.
