By Stephanie Gallagher
Fraud With Peril Blog
The Department of Justice has had several high-profile incidents in the past few weeks calling into question the integrity of its prosecutors – specifically the aftermath of the Ted Stevens trial, during which prosecutors failed to disclose exculpatory evidence, and the Shaygan trial in Miami, during which prosecutors and agents secretly taped the defense attorney’s conversations with his client. These incidents have caused some to question whether there is a systemic problem within DOJ causing prosecutors to ignore some of the most basic principles guiding the fair pursuit of justice.
I think the answer is no.
In my experience on both sides of the playing field, I have seen several examples of attorneys, for whom I have immense respect, who have come quite close to or crossed lines on occasion, either in the zealous representation of a client or in prosecuting a defendant who appears unquestionably guilty of serious crimes.
