Criminal Justice System and Perjury on the Witness Stand

I must rebut Manes’ allegation of widespread police perjury. Although there are documented cases of police perjury, there are also documented cases of perjury by attorneys, and I would imagine these cases are no more tolerated or condoned by the judiciary than those cases involving police. His blanket indictment of law enforcement as a bunch of liars disgusts me.

Maybe my fellow officers and I should form the Lawyer Misconduct Police Referral Service. We could appoint several blatantly anti-lawyer police officials to provide help for those who have allegedly been victimized by lawyers. Ever had an attorney knowingly allow a witness for his side to give false testimony? Call us! Ever had your attorney obtain continuance after continuance (while collecting check after check from you), all the while knowing he would advise you to plead guilty in the end? Call us! Ever had an attorney knowingly file a malicious, frivolous lawsuit against you in hopes of getting you to settle out of court for a lesser sum? Call Us! These abuses of the legal system all contribute to our choked court calendars and the lack of real justice for true victims.

My fellow officers and I resent the implication that we are, as a group, less than honest in performing our duties while other components of the legal system are as pure as gold.

LEE STEITZ

Oceanside