How to Review Police Personnel Files in PA
Did you know that in Pennsylvania, if you’re charged with a crime, you’re entitled to request information that could help your lawyer assess if the arrest was lawful, which can be crucial in building your defense?
Yes, this can be done! However, everything has a procedure, and only a seasoned Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help in filing a motion to review a police personnel file.
Let’s explore this blog to know more about how such pre-trial motions can help you and the role of your legal representative in securing such confidential records.
What does a Police Personnel File Contain?
Every police officer has a professional record held by their department. This record contains a detailed history of their career and conduct.
Usually, here are some of the elements that a police personnel file contains-
- Investigations by internal affairs.
- Any disciplinary actions taken against the concerned officer.
- Formal complaints filed by citizens against the officer.
- Reports regarding the use of excessive force.
- The concerned officer’s mental health and medical evaluations.
But keep in mind that the court will only grant access to these records if they have a direct correlation with your case. That’s why hiring a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is necessary. They can clearly determine and relate how these records could support your argument. In fact, if an officer has a history of lying, filing this motion might change everything and ruin the prosecution’s case against you!
Does the Background of an Officer Really Matter?
You might not be aware of this, but the background of a law enforcement officer shows details that might reveal their pattern of misconduct.
For instance, if a police officer is habituated to the following factors, chances are that these patterns will be reflected in their charging/ arresting methods-
- Discriminating against people based on their racial profile.
- Using excessive force.
- Domestic abuse.
- Unnecessary harassment.
- Threatening.
- Wrongful arrests.
- Illegal search and seizures.
- Professional dishonesty.
- Illegally acquired evidence.
Now, you have to remember that a certain kind of misconduct isn’t relevant to another. For example, if you stated that you were a victim of illegal search and seizure, your Pittsburgh criminal lawyer will check the concerned officer’s files for the same allegations, and not for any other ones.
How Can a Lawyer Help You?
Police personnel files are confidential. So, a judge would require a strong written motion, along with case-related facts, to make sure why such confidential information is necessary for your case.
And that’s exactly where the expertise of a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer comes into play. They can-
- Clearly highlight that you faced police misconduct.
- Explain how the background of the officer is relevant to your case.
- Inform the prosecutor and the law enforcement department about the scenario.
- Defend you in court.
Some Final Words
At Logue Law Group, we are well aware of how pre-trial motions can turn the tables for a case. And owing to a client-first approach, we always keep our options, like filing a motion to review a police personnel file, open.
So, if you, or someone you know, is a victim of police misconduct, don’t just sit back and accept the charges! Instead, call us at 412-387-6901 or send an email to sean@seanloguelaw.com to book a free consultation with our experts today!