NCJ Number
170680
Journal
Trial Volume: 33 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1997) Pages: 44-50
Date Published
1997
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Careful case review is essential before police officials accept a police misconduct cases; these cases are more likely to go to trial and take more time to prepare than most negligence cases.
Abstract
The time spent during the initial client interview is important in getting to know the client. Starting off with a good relationship between client and lawyer will save time later because the client will trust the legal advice provided. Clients appreciate being prepared for the difficulties of litigation, and they should be advised of the possibility of retaliation by a police officer. Some clients, however, may exaggerate their injuries to influence the lawyer to take their case and to increase the amount of damages. Guidelines are presented to help lawyers handle police misconduct cases that focus on evidence collection and analysis and presuit discovery. Factors lawyers need to consider in deciding whether to accept such cases are noted, and the importance of comparing facts in a particular case to verdicts and settlements in similar cases is emphasized. 7 notes