An investigation by the New York Times reveals that since 2015, judges and prosecutors determined that key aspects of NYC police testimony were untrue in at least 25 criminal cases.
Closer examination reveals that officers either lied about conducting illegal search and seizures or gave firsthand accounts of crimes or arrests they did not witness including drug deals.
Apparently the problem is pervasive. In the words of one NYC police officer, “behind closed doors, we call it testilying…you take the truth and stretch it out a little bit”. The fact that the practice has a name should be unsettling for anyone who enters the criminal justice system - innocent or not.
What is the motive for lying? Many lies provide a way around constitutional restrictions on stops and searches or help to secure a conviction. In one case, oddly enough, an officer just seemed to make up details for the sake of telling a riveting story, which didn’t line up later.
As troubling as the known cases of lying are, they probably only represent a fraction of the lies that have been told. When officers are caught in a lie in open court, the case is typically dismissed and sealed, hidden from view. Far more cases never make it to court, ending up in plea deals where police are never challenged.
Victim of Police Illegal Search?
Contact an Experienced Wisconsin Criminal Defense Attorney for a Vigorous Defense
If the problem is happening in New York, you can bet it is happening in a police station near you. If you have been arrested and charged with a Wisconsin crime, such as illegal drug or weapons possession, it is crucial to hire an experienced and skillful criminal defense lawyer to fight against the charges you face. Contact the Waukesha criminal Defense Lawyers of Andrew C. Ladd LLC at 262-542-3900 for help.
Source: New York Times, “Testilying’ by Police: A Stubborn Problem”, March 18, 2018
