Author Question: Officers must get ready to go to court, and there are several steps that can be taken to make this ... (Read 64 times)

sammy · **on:** Aug 17, 2018

Officers must get ready to go to court, and there are several steps that can be taken to make this process smooth and successful. Outline these steps and discuss how some of them might apply in other professional scenarios, for example, going on a job interview.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Officers and prosecutors must work together in seeking convictions. Although the burden falls on the prosecutor, what things can an officer do in order to aid in the successful prosecution of a case?

What will be an ideal response?

pratush dev · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 17, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: The following steps should be followed before entering a courtroom: Know which courtroom you'll be testifying in. If you are unfamiliar with the particular courthouse or courtroom, check it out before the trial so you will know your way around; Do not discuss anything about the case in public or where your conversation might be overheard. Anyone could be a juror or defense witness; Treat people with respect, as if they were the judge or a juror. Your professionalism, politeness, and courtesy will be noted and remembered, especially by those who see you in court in an official capacity; Do not discuss your personal life, official business, biases, prejudices, likes and dislikes, or controversial subjects in public, for the same reasons as listed above. You might impress a judge, juror, or witness the wrong way; Be punctual. Judges and attorneys have little patience with officers appearing in court late, so be on time. Know when you will be expected to testify; Dress appropriately. Look businesslike and official. If in uniform, it should be neat, clean, and complete. If not in uniform, a sport coat and slacks are as appropriate as a business suit; Avoid contact with the defense counsel and any defense witnesses before the trial. Assume that they will try to get you to say something about the case to their advantage.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: One of the main acts a police officer can do to aid in prosecution is to attend the pretrial conference. Much information can be gleaned from this meeting. Officers should provide prosecutors with all information relevant to the case. No detail should be considered too minor because many cases turn upon minute factual or legal points, the significance of which may become apparent only in the full context of the trial. This includes exculpatory evidence. Officers should know and understand the rules of evidence so they can discuss any possible flaws with the prosecutor before the trial. Prior to trial, the officer should discuss with the prosecutor use of field notes and reports. If these are brought to the stand, the defense attorney can have access to them as well. This may be fine, or this may impede the prosecutor's case. Procedures for getting evidence and related materials to court vary among jurisdictions. In some cases, the prosecutor's office may take custody of evidence that is planned for introduction in court in a pending trial and make arrangements for its availability at trial. In other instances, it falls upon the police department to ensure that evidence requested by the prosecutor is available in court in accordance with established schedules provided by the prosecutor. Officers should provide prosecutors with assistance as needed in ensuring that witnesses will be present and ready to testify on the day of the trial. There should be no communication between officers and defense attorneys regarding pending criminal cases without the express approval of the prosecutor's office.