Is a police officers word worth more then yours in court?

tiffy

a judge would most deffinately take a police officers word against yours no matter what or who you are

honeybeejim

Of course

Bear

In the UK criminal courts the burden of proof is 'beyond all reasonable doubt'. Therefore one word against the other is generally a stalemate without any other corroboration, whether its a police officer or not.

joan k

The Police are not always believed in Court. There are many instances where Judges have branded a Police Officer as a lair. Personally I don't think there is any love lost between the Courts and the Police. I know Police Officers who are decent, honest and trustworthy. I don't think it makes any difference as to what profession you are in, if you tell the truth then you should be believed, or maybe I am naive.

crazzijimsmith

unfortunately yes. unless you have video or recording, like that teen aged kid recemtly. they were gonna charge him with resisting arrest til his mom brought in the vid cam recording.

AmoreRose

1st question, yes - unfortunately. That's why U need a lawyer even for running a stop sign - my experience.

2nd quest - " The Court" is the judge - employed by the Jurisdiction to collect fines for your ERRORS. He talks to THAT officer everyday.

U need a Lawyer, even if you are a Lawyer.

On a jury, or being picked for a jury, I will not trust an officer. Too many stories of abuse in any YEAR. Even highway stops, as evidenced last week on TV, taser of a motorist, and DUI arrests where driver does not drink in Florida.

I had an Officer IMPLY that I could not see His SKYBLUE police car on my right at 50-100 feet, empty flat corner lot at a stop sign.
I had an Officer tell me my Truck was going 71 on flat 5 lanes when Truck would not go faster than 69 before or after anywhere else, all Radar signs in several states.

Can you trust a video camera? Convienence stores and others should upgrade to best color and put monitor in potential criminal's face, on counter.

Ollie

I think the court would look into it if it was a doctor,lawyer
or teacher an ordinary person the copper would be believed.

hendoe1

Well in a court of law (specifically traffic court) the burden of proof is on the officer. No matter what, as long as a police officer presents his/her case with confidence and competence, it is really difficult to win a case in court. Most people rely on the most inappropriate of defenses. i.e it was not me, it was the other car, etc. These never work. So how does one beat a traffic ticket in court? Quite simple.... if the officer has prepared prior to court, you cant win...But there are ways to make yourself look not so stupid. In the case of a speeding ticket by laser, instead of questioning whether the officer got the right car, ask the officer infront of the judge whether or not you have a front license plate on your car or not. Ask if the officer remember's which lane you were in. What this does is it introduces reasonable doubt into the officer's testimony. And if there's reasonable doubt, how can you be guilty?

I hope this helps.

Mildred S

the police officers word will in almost all cases weigh higher in general type of testimony. If it's a specialty area / then a doctor might be able to give an expert opinion. A teacher might have expert opinion about education of children or might have been a witness to a school fight. we tend to look for the person who is in authority ?

the argument is that we give policemen special training in observation / they might recall or understand the facts better, believe that they should be trustworthy /hold them to higher standards than citizens / entrust them with more power.

the judges usually are out to collect the fines. they know these cops will not have a job without revenue. they will not need judges if there are no cases. judges need to stay employed too.

*****

In real life, that is the way it is.

Perfectionist

yes

Mr Abba

Yes it would be.

lizlywatts

I have an answer to this question through personal experience but I don't want to talk about it in detail.. but hubby was doing his job and was arrested because an old lady mislaid her ring, she found it, but didn't ring the police back to tell them, consequently my husband spent hours in a police cell, he was asked to admit the crime.. it was disgraceful, then they sent a person round to dissuade us from prosecuting.. (boy was he a good salesman) A top criminal lawyer heard our story and she said you should have gone ahead with it you would have won..

blueink

The cops are always right.

I was pulled over for speeding....I got yanked out of my car and handcuffed. I was accused of interstate drug smuggling. My car was searched, money was taken from my purse, and the fluids I keep in my car were dumped in my back seat (oil, water, etc.) When the cops were finished I didn't even get a ticket.

I went to a lawyer because I felt violated. I wasn't even certain why they searched me. My lawyer advised me that all the cop had to do was say he smelled drugs and the judge would say the police had probable cause....they didn't.

I am afraid of the police. I know they harass innocent people. And we are powerless to stop them.

nosy old lady

yes I believe it is, I think the court will always take a cops word above everyone else's.

jed slade

What do you want ,anarchy??of course the officers evidence would be taken literally.It is his job ,and what does he have to gain by lying,nothing.I.m not saying that crims don,t get fitted up,but a clever criminal does,nt get himself in those situations ,only an idiot gets fitted up by walking into it,you may be innocent of THE offence,but,you are certainly not innocent of AN offence.Swings and roundabouts.Only money and power can buy you the justice you want,and even that is being eroded by the adverse publicity now.

bert

Courts are biased in favour of police. Class distinction is practised in English "justice"!

jason c

The police officer's statement will be challenged by the court. However if its a straight case of he says one thing and you say another, then the court will always take the police officers side.

stormydays

All criminal court hearings are dealt with on evidence So if a copper is to say something he should have the evidence to back it up

Makes no difference that he is a copper standing in a court

Captain Sarcasm

I suppose you would have to ask why the Police Officer would lie, he would have nothing to gain and everything to lose if he mislead a court. However as an accused you have a different agenda. I suggest the essence of the answer lies in the independance of the witness not the occupation as Police Officer, Doctor or teacher.

surfcandee

Depends on the judge...whether or not this particular officer has been caught in a lie prior, his body language and physical appearance play a role. In short, usually a Police Officer's word(s) is highly regarded in court due to the high standards the court expects from such a law professional. Bad people (or good people who do bad things) are expected to lie often to cheat punishment where as an officer has no interest either way, as long as it was a legit arrest or summons and assuming the Office has no "special interest" in this particular case. Officers spend 50% of their professional lives in a court room giving testimony, just another day in the office.

Now there's the right answer, the real answer isâ€¦ Yes, an Officers word holds more weight then yours in court, all other things being equal (assuming you're not a Senator or the Judges little sister ;-)

Babe

I think it depends on how the evidence is presented. If what you say were true, OJ would have been fried long ago and we would have no need of defense attorneys.

evolvedintofeminist

Yes, it is. The police officer. No, it makes no difference at all.

Bert H

DEPENDS!

On what?

Your credibility, appearance, speech, and believability.

As for the others, same argument but on what topic, like a doctor saying you got a disease, but you say it's only an itch ;-)

Who would YOU believe!!!
;-)

kd9368

Anyone's word is not necessarily or should never be worth more than yours. Truth is truth regardless, unfortunately many people (such as judges) look at Police Officers, doctors or lawyer etc as having more "solid or concrete" word.

What is important is to be calm and talk rational. State a case of fact (sound well versed) and you will be surprised who the judge will side with.

Most court officals or anyone for that matter is going to believe people more if they would just be calm and address the situation rationally.

Hope this helps

Humza

it can depend on a number of things
examples
if a copper/professional is against you, your in trouble
but
if a copper/professional that is not liked at their work place, is agianst you, anything could happen

my personal opinion NEVER TRUST THE POLICE

dennis

yes but we all know police lie out of there rear end

Timelord

think it all depends on the case, say you where a doctor and you was abusing patients then maybe a cops word would be worth more, say you was a teacher and you was going with pupils, again maybe, but if the pupils denied it than maybe his word wouldnt, it all depends sometimes if the cop is telling the truth it can be swung to make it look like he is lying, sometimes about 10 copper mates wil step up and swear his telling the truth,

NOKIA6630 USER

don think so. cause the judge is supposed to hear both sides r8? an unworthy ppl don usually become judges.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: