How Can Law Enforcement Videos Help Your Defense?
When an Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer views body or dashcam videos, they can discover a basis for dismissing the charges against you. Footage can reveal evidence that does not support the law officer’s claims or shows another perpetrator. Videos may also expose constitutional rights violations, such as lack of reasonable suspicion, illegal searches and more.
Why Do the Police Use Body Cameras?
Police officers use body cams and dashcams to foster trust and accountability. They take video footage to support their report of an incident or arrest. It helps protect them from false accusations of inappropriate conduct, use of force, planting evidence and more. Elected officials and media outlets may access the videos to hold wrongdoers accountable.
Can an Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer Use This Footage in Court?
A criminal defense lawyer in Indianapolis may use these police videos as evidence in court. Depending on the circumstances, the recordings can help either the prosecution or the defense during a trial. Videos recorded during an arrest or conflict help defense attorneys clearly understand the circumstances of the event.
How Are Body Camera Videos Beneficial to Your Case?
Police reports detail an account of an arrest but rely on the officer’s memory of events. Witness testimonies are useful but can be unreliable and inaccurate. Criminal convictions are often credibility conflicts between the arresting officers and the defendant. A recording of the incident can help clear your name in court if there are any false claims or inaccurate reports. If a video does not support an officer’s account, the judge could dismiss the case.
An experienced and knowledgeable Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer can assess police videos to determine the best defense for you. For more information about how body camera footage can help your case, contact Potts Law at (317) 951-0087 or fill out the online contact form.
