Expert: Robin Sexton - 5/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: ROBIN,
WHAT DOES A PERSON DO WHEN THEY HAVE EVIDENCE OF AN OFFICERS WRONG DOING. THEY TAKE IT TO THE SOLICITOR WHO THEY LATER FIND OUT BURIES THE EVIDENCE. THEY TAKE IT TO A LAWYER WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING HIS CLIENT BUT IS BLATANTLY HELPING IN THE COVER-UP, AND CERTAIN JUDGES ARE EVIDENTLY IN ON THE COVER-UP. THIS IS A GOOD OL BOY SOUTHERN TOWN AND THIS PERSON FEELS LIKE THEY WILL NEVER FIND JUSTICE. THEY KNOW EVEN IF THEY GO AND FILE A COMPLAINT THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CAN NOT INTERFERE IN THE CASE, ONLY SLAP A FEW HANDS AFTER THE DEED IS DONE. IS THIS A HOPELESS SITUATION OR IS THERE ANY ONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP THIS PERSON?
THANKS, JANE DOE

ANSWER: Jennifer,

Without a whole lot more detail it is difficult to give specific advise.  A lot of this will depend on the severity of the crime.  Just like in dealing with a non-office who commits a offense it is looked at by the severity of the issue at hand.  Just because someone commits an offense does not mean they are prosecuted.  Example, perjury.  Perjury occurs quite often but is seldom prosecuted.  However if certain individuals commit perjury, such as lawyers, police officer, government officials it is looked at more critically.  If this is a serious issue your best course of action would be to contact an attorney outside of the jurisdiction to consult with.  Far enough away that you are pretty sure they would not be involved in the politics in the area. You could also contact a Federal Law Enforcement agency.  FBI comes to mind first.  If the officer is using his office to violate someone's civil rights they may have jurisdiction.. They also will have to look at the severity of it to determine if they will do an investigation.

Good Luck

Robin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ROBIN,
THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION! WHILE I WAS RATING YOUR HELP I LEFT MY FOLLOW UP QUESTION ON THE COMMENT SECTION. CAN YOU READ IT AND E-MAIL ME A REPLY?
THANKS, JENNY

Answer
Jennifer,

It is obvious that you belive you have been wronged.  You need to meet with someone that you believe to be impartial and go over everything with them.  In a lot of situations people that have a problem are to close and they can't see anything but the problem.  The old adage can't see the forest for the trees comes to mind.  It can't hurt to call the FBI and make an appointment.  There is usually a duty agent available at the larger offices,  resident agents are a usually a little harder to track down.  Approach the appointment with an open mind and just give them the facts, what ever evidence you may have and try to leave out any opinion or feelings you have, not easy i know.  As i said before there may be something or there maybe nothing they can or will do.  But at least you will have an unbiased view of the issue.
Unfortunately one of life's more unpleasant lessons is sometimes nothing will be done.  It is not fair but that is one of life's truisms

Good Luck and thank you for the comments


Robin