What Happens When a Body Cam Reveals a Police Officer Planting Evidence?

What Happens When a Body Cam Reveals a Police Officer Planting Evidence?

The Baltimore Public Defenders’ Office has revealed two recordings showing Baltimore Police Department personnel planting narcotics. In the first video, an officer shuts off his body camera and deposits a bag of alleged cocaine in a backyard before turning it back on and “finding” the drugs. The body camera, on the other hand, records the thirty seconds before activation, therefore it recorded the cop putting the narcotics.

In the second video, a car was checked by multiple police, but no narcotics were discovered. Their body cams were then switched off. An officer leaned inside the vehicle when the cameras were switched back on and pulled out a bag of what seemed to be narcotics. As a consequence, the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office dropped narcotics charges against the defendants in those cases, as well as forty other counts based on the testimony of police engaged in the recordings. Over fifty additional instances are being investigated by the office.

Could This Happen in California?

Increased usage of body cameras around the country, including in California, might lead to more cases like the one that occurred recently in Baltimore, in which aggressive criminal defense attorneys discovered via the discovery process that police had planted narcotics on their clients. This is seen as an example of police wrongdoing. If the police have committed misbehavior, such as planting evidence there are ways to leverage this knowledge to your advantage.

Every Case is Unique

Each case and factual context is unique, but in many cases, your criminal defense lawyer will begin by seeking to get the criminal charge against you dropped. For example, if the cops placed drugs on you — as appears to have happened in at least two cases in Baltimore — proof of this may be used to get the prosecution to withdraw all charges against you. However, there may be other options for dealing with police misbehavior.

You Might Be Able to Sue the Police

The police may have violated your constitutional rights depending on the type of violation and the facts of your case. If you have been harmed in any way, such as losing your job, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses as a result of the police conduct of planting evidence on you.

These instances, however, are complicated because they include problems of immunity for some governmental actors. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can assist you in determining if you have a constitutional or civil claim against the police.

Call Now for a Free Legal Consultation

If you have been accused of a crime, it is critical that you get the services of a dedicated criminal defense lawyer. If these sorts of infractions and police misconduct occur in your case, a determined lawyer can uncover them and strive to obtain you the justice you deserve. In San Bernardino and the surrounding areas, the Chambers Law Firm represents clients accused of crimes. To book a free first consultation, call 714-760-4088 or email dchambers@clfca.com.

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