I was surprised Mike Nifong was disbarred- thought he might be suspended. I wonder if it's because this is a high profile case. Isn't it unusual to take such extreme action?
I was surprised Mike Nifong was disbarred- thought he might be suspended. I wonder if it's because this is a high profile case. Isn't it unusual to take such extreme action?
Prosecutors have the ultimate authority under our legal system. They decide who will go to trial, who will get a plea bargain, and who they want to send to prison. In many cases they are more interested in thier political future than the rights of the accused. This is the first time I know of that a prosecutor has been disbarred and certainly it is because it is a high profile case. If these kids were poor, they would be in prison. In America you get all the justice you can afford.
I suggest that you read "The innocent Man."
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385517238/
Thank you,for your comment. I was not thinking about fictional stories- although I do really like John Grisham’s books.
Rather, my interest is in our justice system prosecuting a “prosecutor”. I am not sure why the wealth of the parents of the kids accused would be a factor.
It is unusual to see the states prosecutor tried and convicted for prosecuting someone accused of a criminal act because of the way evidence is/was handled. I would think it is more to do with someone who doesn’t want competition.
Unless of course this is the first time a prosecutor has withheld evidence??![]()
That's Grisham's first nonfiction book.
The wealth of the parents, and their ability to get good defense lawyers and a lot of media attention, were a huge factor in the outcome. I would be extremely surpirsed if this were the first time Nifong has pulled this type of stunt - that level of unethical conduct tends to develop over a career, as opposed to springing up overnight. Other prosecutors around the nation have engaged in similar conduct without similar sanction.
You can read the ethics complaint here.
It is quite lengthy, but it is interesting.
Ha! I did not read this one! Soooo ....I think I will.
I know that having money to spend on defense (or prosecution) can make a huge difference in outcome. In fact, just by having the money to drag a case out can break the other side. This isn't the first case where someone with money has been found innocent and we learned about paying witnesses, forged evidence, evidence that is missing, etc. But the prosecutor has not been disbarred.
(From what I knew previously about this case, I am glad the attorney is facing consequences.)
I am sure unethical conduct is embarrasing for the legal most professionals. What I wonder is if this is a trend to expect consequences for unethical conduct? or maybe it just has to do with being an election year. I hope it is the former.
I need to read more about the circumstances of the case.![]()
I finished Grisham's book. It is the first one I have not really enjoyed reading. I thought he did a great presentation of how difficult it was to "prove" guilt before DNA evidence could be presented.
I also think the State Psychiatric Hospitals were a better place for persons who commit crimes but also are mentally ill.