Phoenix

DesertExile: What you can expect

03 February 2006

What you can expect

This story is being discussed and debated:
CHINO – A videotape released Tuesday shows a sheriff's deputy shooting a man as he apparently heeds an order to get up off the ground after a car chase.

I love it when people start their rants against law enforcement. As one who spent 30.5 years there, the ranter's ignorance is very obvious.

As one who attended law school at night for a couple of years in 1975-76, I recall what Law used to be.
It was based on what laws had been passed, and what courts had decided that those laws meant.

But, law enforcement, like several other fields, has been given over to FEELINGS, and " What ought to be". In courts, if the attorney makes an impassioned display, the decision will probably go his/her way.

In light of this, you ask what is likely to happen with the deputy who shot?

Police Departments and Sheriff's Departments are POLITICAL ANIMALS.
If it looks like the deputy did not have a good cause to shoot, here is the program:

He will be fired.
The District Attorney will file charges. (Hey-how are you going to afford an attorney? You don't have a job)
The "Victim" will sue for a gazillion dollars.
If the deputy is tried and found "not guilty" or has a "hung jury", the FBI will step in and charge him with "Violating the civil rights" of the "Victim".

As one of the Murphy's Laws applying to police work states:
The better you do your job, the more likely you are to be shot, injured, complained on, sued, investigated, or subpoenaed on your day off.

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