Police Abuse Problems With Guilty Pleas

Police Abuse/Problems with Guilty Pleas Police Abuse From time to time, the media highlights stories about police abuse that can best be described as disturbing. It is unfortunate that some police officers do turn against the same people they have sworn to keep safe. Indeed, most victims of police brutality are left feeling frightened, betrayed and helpless. Further, police abuse triggers a cycle of mistrust in which case the community gradually loses confidence in those they rely on for safety and protection.

Though a majority of police officers in the community I come from are dedicated and act within the confines of the law; there are a few bad elements (based on previous incidences of police brutality) who soil the otherwise warm relations the community shares with the police. It is important to note that only a fraction of the total incidences of police abuse are reported by the media. Generally, only those cases in which the affected individual has sued or incidences captured on camera are highlighted by the media.

A good number of the victims of police brutality feel that instituting legal proceedings against the perpetrators puts them (the victims) at risk of more stringent legal penalties. This is more so the case in those instances where the victim has indeed committed a crime. This effectively means that what is reported by the media in relation to police brutality is only a tip of the iceberg.

When it comes to ensuring that law enforcement officers respect the rule of law and are indeed accountable for their actions, the relevance of lawsuits cannot be overstated. It should be noted that in most cases, issues relating to police brutality arise from abuse of authority as well as use of poor judgment on the part of the police officers concerned. With that in mind, lawsuits should not be viewed as potential hindrances to law enforcement.

Instead, lawsuits should be regarded as channels of ensuring that law enforcement officers do not exceed the limits of their position. The fear of being sued could in this case compel police officers to act within reason. Part 2: Problems with Guilty Pleas According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a guilty plea should not only be voluntary but it must also be free. Further, the defendant must in this case be competent from a mental perspective for the plea of guilty to be regarded valid.

However, it can be noted that there are various problems associated with pleas of guilty. For instance, whereas guilty pleas are necessary i.e. As a way of enhancing the efficiency of the system, it is also possible that the fear of being convicted after undergoing trial could force some innocent individuals to plead guilty. The incentive of pleading guilty can be overwhelming for the defendant given that a guilty plea comes with a "reward" of a lesser sentence.

On the other hand, being convicted after a trial brings with it harsher sentences as a "penalty." In such a scenario, the need to avert a harsher sentence in terms of a lengthy prison term or otherwise could lead an individual to pleading guilty even when such an individual.