why does the state attorney prosecute the wrong people on the good wife

by Narciso Senger 5 min read

Can the Attorney-General give opinions to the prosecuting attorney?

duties of the attorney-general are primarily civil in character. The following excerpt from the statement of duties in the Illinois statutes is typical:7 "First-Tq appear for and represent the people of the state before the supreme court . .. in all cases in …

Can the governor direct the Attorney-General to prosecute a crime?

Feb 09, 2009 · Why the Florida State’s Attorneys will prosecute cases even when the victim doesn’t want to “press charges” - Read the Domestic Violence legal blogs that have been posted ...

What happens if the prosecutor decides not to dismiss a case?

The Attorney General's Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes crime throughout the State. However, criminal cases which are local in effect are rarely prosecuted by the Attorney General. Such cases are more appropriately pursued by local officials and citizens are urged to bring such cases to their local police and county prosecutor.

Is the Attorney-General too burdened by duty?

Oct 24, 2019 · The state’s attorney’s office said that its alternative prosecution programs, where people are directed to community-based services and treatment, result in more people whose cases end up being dismissed. Alternative prosecution rose about 8 percent during the first two years of Foxx’s term, according to a July report.

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Why did Alicia Florrick resign state's attorney?

After reports of voter fraud surface, Landau reveals to Alicia that he rigged the voting machines in order to preserve the Democratic supermajority in the Illinois state legislature. However, in order to maintain the façade of a fair election, Landau forces Alicia to resign.

Does Alicia win state's attorney?

Alicia, Diane, Cary, Kalinda and others return to Lockhart & Gardner, now called Florrick, Agos & Lockhart. In Season 6, Alicia also starts running for State's Attorney and develops a friendship with prosecutor Finn Polmar. She is successfully elected but has to step down due to false accusations.

Does Peter win state's attorney?

After being let out of prison on house arrest, Peter immediately starts plotting his political comeback. He is re-elected State's Attorney, defeating Wendy Scott Carr.

Is The Good Wife accurate?

More of a political drama, 'The Good Wife' stars Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, who finds herself working as a legal associate after her husband loses his career as an attorney following a scandal. 'The Good Wife' is pretty accurate, perhaps more accurate with respect to the legal angle than 'Suits'.Oct 26, 2020

Who wins state attorney in The Good Wife?

At the end of the first season, the firm selects Alicia, and Cary goes to work for the state attorney's office. In season three, Cary is appointed Cook County Deputy State's Attorney, though he subsequently is demoted for having an in-office affair.

Why does Diane slap Alicia?

Unlike her husband, Alicia is not getting slapped for sleeping with prostitutes. Rather, Diane slaps her because Alicia (during cross-examination at Peter's trial) undermined Diane's husband, making him look unreliable and not credible, in hopes of saving Peter from going to jail.May 9, 2016

Why does Kalinda leave The Good Wife?

Little is known of Kalinda's background. She worked for State's Attorney Peter Florrick (Chris Noth) for three years prior to the beginning of the show and he fired her after accusing her of working two jobs.

What happens to Peter in good wife?

The final moments of The Good Wife's ending deliberately echo the first moments of the show: Peter enters another press conference with Alicia at his side to announce that he will be resigning as governor over allegations that he helped one of his donor's sons beat a murder charge.Mar 13, 2021

Does Peter become president good wife?

Peter is officially out of the Presidential run on The Good Wife. Yes, Peter's ill-fated Presidential run ended on Sunday's brand new episode of The Good Wife, "Iowa." The episode saw the entire Florrick family — Zach and Grace included — take to Iowa for the Iowa Caucus.Jan 10, 2016

Which is better suits or The Good Wife?

The difference for me is The Good Wife has more case detail, more cases, more 'facts' to consider, and more scandal, more stuff going on external to the law firm(s) and has the added facet of Peter Florrick and Eli Gold and the political element. Suits is easier to watch because there's never really any case detail ...

What law firm is The Good Wife based on?

Lockhart/Gardner & Canning
Lockhart/Gardner & Canning.

Is Alicia Florrick a good lawyer?

Alicia Florrick is a brilliant lawyer whose life took an ugly turn when she realized that her marriage to Peter was built on lies. She was publicly humiliated by him and she discovered that taking time off from her law career to be a wife and mother wasn't really what she wanted.Apr 18, 2020

Who decides the verdict in a trial?

Either a judge or a jury may decide the verdict on how well the State's Attorney proved the case. During the trial, the State's Attorney may make opening and closing statements, offer evidence, question witnesses and challenge the defense attorney's legal actions.

How are state attorneys elected?

In general, State's Attorneys are elected by the people they represent. Their duties are spelled out in the laws of the local governments they represent, and they're held accountable by the voters for how well they do their jobs and how well their performance matches up with the local politics of the area. But a State's Attorney hardly ever does ...

How do police arrest a suspect?

First, police file a warrant or charging request with the State's Attorney following an investigation. Attorneys review the request and may decide to issue a warrant, which allows the police to arrest the suspect. An arraignment in court follows, at which the suspect is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea.

What is the job of a criminal prosecutor?

Criminal prosecutions are the chief duty of most State's Attorney offices. In many states, such as Michigan, criminal prosecutions follow a predetermined series of steps [source: Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan ]. First, police file a warrant or charging request with the State's Attorney following an investigation.

How many states have grand jury indictments?

About half the 50 states use grand jury indictments in criminal prosecutions. Grand juries hear cases brought by State's Attorneys, and only the evidence and witnesses presented by the State's Attorney are considered.

What happens before a trial?

Before a trial takes place, the process of discovery takes place, at which the State's Attorney and the defense attorney share information they intend to introduce as evidence at trial.

What is the job of a state attorney?

A State's Attorney, along with a phalanx of Assistant State's Attorneys, prosecutes criminal and civil cases for the people.

What does it mean to successfully prosecute a domestic violence case?

Successfully prosecuting a defendant for domestic violence means that the prosecutor must prove each element of the offense by the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.

Who reviews statements made by the defendant and victim?

A prosecutor will review any statements made by the defendant and victim. In some cases, a victim will make a verbal statement that is noted by police followed by a written one that will contain inconsistencies that an experienced defense attorney will exploit to challenge the veracity and credibility of the victim.

Why is domestic battery evidence insufficient?

A prosecutor may also feel the evidence of a domestic battery is insufficient because the victim’s credibility is suspect 5.

What is willfulness in law?

What Is Willfulness? Willfulness is “…simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act… there is a defense for persons who commit the act through misfortune or by accident when it appears there was no evil design, intention or culpable negligence.”. 2.

What do prosecutor decisions need to make?

Prosecutors need to make decisions regarding how to file or proceed with a case based on the evidence.

What is the natural and probable consequence of the injury?

The traumatic condition was the natural and probable consequence of the injury

Why do people drop criminal cases?

A major reason for dropping any criminal case is the insufficiency of the evidence.

What is the first chance for a prosecutor to decline to bring charges?

Prosecutors’ first chance to decline to bring charges comes during a process called “felony review.”. This chart depicts felony arrests by police. These are arrests referred to prosecutors by police for felony charges. , which decreased since Foxx’s election.

Why didn't we compare the number of cases before and after Foxx's election?

We didn’t want to just compare the number of cases before and after Foxx’s election, because that would not account for any differences in crime in Cook County or the change in the number of arrests.

What is the second most frequent offense in the Foxx office?

Felony arrests Felony charges. When Foxx began her term, shoplifting was the second most frequent offense in her office’s caseload. Today it’s dropped to eighth. While theft cases of smaller value items are still being prosecuted as misdemeanors.

Why was Alvarez under fire?

When Foxx was campaigning for office, Alvarez was under fire for her handling of several high-profile police shootings in Chicago, most notably the killing of teenager Laquan McDonald.

What was the response to the Foxx policies and the resulting lower prosecution rates?

In response to Foxx’s policies and the resulting lower prosecution rates, an association of suburban police chiefs and Chicago’s police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, issued a vote of no confidence in Foxx and demanded her resignation in April.

Why is it important to understand the extent of the revolving door of individuals who are being arrested and charged only

This is important to know if we want to quantify the footprint of the criminal justice system. Understanding the extent of the revolving door of individuals who are being arrested and charged only to have their cases dropped would be an important measure of reform. The state’s attorney’s office declined to release person-level data out of concern for personal privacy.

Did the state attorney promise to transform the office?

The state’s attorney promised to transform the office. Data shows she’s dismissed thousands of felonies that would have been pursued in the past.

What does a prosecutor consider when deciding whether to continue a domestic violence case?

A prosecutor will also consider the defendant's criminal record when deciding whether to continue with a domestic violence prosecution. The defendant's past becomes particularly relevant when the prior convictions are for domestic violence crimes, especially when the prosecutor believes that evidence of these past crimes can be brought to ...

Who makes the decision to prosecute a case?

The prosecutor makes that decision. And the prosecutor can prosecute the case even if the victim refuses to testify—the question that must be answered is whether they should.

What is the exception to the Spousal Privilege?

However, many states have created exceptions to the spousal privilege when one spouse is being tried for committing a crime against the other (such as domestic violence cases). When this exception to the privilege exists, the prosecutor may compel the spouse to testify against the other.

What is plea option?

Plea options. Even where the prosecutor decides not to dismiss the case, the defendant might receive a more favorable plea offer (such as reducing the charge in exchange for the defendant's guilty plea) than the prosecutor would offer if the victim was willing to testify at trial.

What to do if you are a victim of domestic abuse?

If you're a victim of domestic abuse, contact a lawyer or a victim's advocate to understand how the criminal process works and whether you could be required to testify. For more information, check out Nolo's Resources for Victims of Crime.

How to defend against domestic violence?

Talk to a Lawyer. If you have domestic violence charges pending against you, talk to a criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer can help assess the strength of the case, give advice, and defend your rights. If you're a victim of domestic abuse, contact a lawyer or a victim's advocate to understand how the criminal process works ...

Can a prosecutor file charges against an alleged abuser?

The prosecutor can file charges against the alleged abuser even if the victim recants or refuses to testify. In certain cases, the prosecutor could decide to subpoena the victim and compel them to testify—but having a terrified or hostile victim on the stand isn't always the best approach. And if the victim is a spouse, ...

What was the widespread misconduct of the Sheriff's Office?

The widespread misconduct involved a secret database of information about defendants being held in custody. This database was related to false testimony obtained by prison informants. The Sheriff's Office denied this database existed. This deception was further concealed by prosecutors while these cases went on for decades. Judge Goethals helped bring this to light, and recommended that the prosecutors be prosecuted.

What are some careers made off of wrongful convictions?

Careers are made off of many wrongful convictions. Some of these same officers go on to be police commissioners. Some district attorneys go on to become judges in state and federal courts, and some become attorney generals. Innocent prisoners are the skeletons in their closets. If our stories were ever to get out, their careers--and those of many others--would come into question. It's sad, but egos also play an integral part. Most of the time, prosecutors are only concerned with winning cases to put more notches on their belts. Justice is rarely on their agendas.

What is the Prosecutor's decision?

The Prosecutor's Decision: Using the Police Report. Typically, prosecutors base their initial charging decisions on the documents sent to them by the arresting police officers (usually called police or arrest reports ).

Why do head prosecutors file charges?

Their charging decisions are often, therefore, affected by public opinion or important support groups. For example, a prosecutor may file charges on every shoplifting case, no matter how weak, to curry favor with local store owners who want to get the word out that shoplifters will be prosecuted. For similar reasons, a prosecutor may pursue otherwise weak prostitution charges to avoid alienating powerful civic groups. Deputy or assistant prosecutors may feel that appearing tough will help their careers, either within the prosecutor's office or later if they want to become judges.

Why are arrests and prosecutions separate?

Arrest and prosecution functions are separated primarily to protect citizens against the arbitrary exercise of police power. Police officers usually make arrests based only on whether they have good reason ( probable cause) to believe a crime has been committed. By contrast, prosecutors can file formal charges only if they believe that they can prove a suspect guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Can a prosecutor file charges against a suspect?

Prosecutors can file charges on all crimes for which the police arrested a suspect, can file charges that are more or less severe than the charges leveled by the police, or can decide not to file any charges at all. ( U.S. v. Batchelder, U.S. Sup. Ct. 1979.)

Is an arrest report one sided?

Arrest reports are almost always one-sided. They recite only what the police claim took place and may include only witness statements that support the police theory. While they are generally not admissible as evidence in a trial, arrest reports can have a major impact in criminal cases.

Do prosecutors take a strong stand?

Experienced defense attorneys understand that prosecutors must sometimes be seen as taking a strong stand publicly, even though they may be willing to respond to weaknesses in individual cases at a later stage of the process. This is one of the reasons why practically every criminal defendant will benefit from the help of an experienced, local criminal defense attorney: Only those professionals know where the pressure points are and how to work around them (or with them).

Who is the prosecutor in a criminal case?

Prosecution 101. At the federal level, the two parties to a criminal case are the United States and a defendant or defendants. At the state level, the state is represented by a prosecuting attorney who represents the people of the state. Regardless of whether the prosecutor is called the district attorney, the state’s attorney, or the commonwealth’s attorney, criminal cases pit the state against a defendant or defendants.

Why is it so hard to trace the money of the prosecutor race?

Since that time his contributions have continued. Unfortunately, the money can be difficult to trace because it is often funneled through a variety of entities. Local prosecutor races have seen an influx of money delivered through state-level super PACs and national “527” groups, which carry no caps on expenditures, as well as money funneled through local PACs and allied organizations.

How many cases did Krasner lose?

In his first two years in office, Krasner dropped or lost 47 percent of all illegal firearms cases—a 42 percent higher rate than the last district attorney, Seth Williams. Krasner won convictions in 21 percent fewer cases. 128

Why do district attorneys exist?

They exist because George Soros and a handful of other billionaires have invested heavily in the election of district attorneys who are working to reverse engineer and dismantle a criminal justice system that , while not perfect , has resulted in the lowest crime and incarceration rates in decades.

Why are rogue district attorneys important?

Elected rogue district attorneys have not worked within the law to enhance public safety, protect victims’ rights, lower crime, and serve their community. They usurp the constitutional role of the legislative branch by refusing to prosecute entire categories of crime, abuse the role of the county prosecutor, fail to protect victims of crime, and ignore rising crime rates caused by their radical policies. They exist because George Soros and a handful of other billionaires have invested heavily in the election of district attorneys who are working to reverse engineer and dismantle a criminal justice system that, while not perfect, has resulted in the lowest crime and incarceration rates in decades.

How does usurpation of legislative power affect the legal system?

Usurpation of legislative power by refusing to prosecute entire classes of crimes is dangerous. It violates the separation of powers between the executive branch and the legislative branch. In doing so, it distorts the entire legal system by disrupting the equipoise between separate but equal branches of government.

What is the Brady Rule?

United States, 405 U.S. 150, 154 (1972) (holding that evidence affecting a witness’s credibility falls within the Brady Rule—essentially impeachment information). material that may be in the possession of the police.

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Insufficient Evidence

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There are 3 categories of domestic violence: 1. Simple domestic violence 2. Aggravated domestic violence 3. Corporal injury to a spouse or former cohabitant A major reason for dropping any criminal case is the insufficiency of the evidence. When appellate courts review an issue regarding sufficiency of the evidence, the s…
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What Is Willfulness?

  • Willfulness is “…simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act… there is a defense for persons who commit the act through misfortune or by accident when it appears there was no evil design, intention or culpable negligence.”2. For instance, if you accidentally touched someone or knocked a coffee cup or glass out of your girlfriend’s hand because you were swinging your arms to emp…
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Inconsistent Statements

  • A prosecutor will review any statements made by the defendant and victim. In some cases, a victim will make a verbal statement that is noted by police followed by a written one that will contain inconsistencies that an experienced defense attorney will exploit to challenge the veracity and credibility of the victim.
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Lack of Visible Injuries

  • The lack of visible injuries does not necessarily mean that a domestic battery did not occur and is not required in order for a defendant to be charged with domestic battery. All the prosecutor needs in order to charge you is evidence of a harmful or offensive touching. This includes pushing or shoving someone, spitting in their face, or intentionally touching them in a rude or violent man…
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Does This Rule Out Prosecution?

  • This does not rule out a prosecution since an arrest can be made based solely on the victim’s allegations or on evidence at the scene of a struggle or a visible injury on the victim. The lack of an independent witness or third party is not fatal to the prosecution. A prosecutor may have evidence of the following: 1. New and visible injury to the victim, 2. Statements by the parties 3. …
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Compelling Reject Request Letter Written by Attorney

  • Anytime after the defendant has been arrested or has been charged with domestic battery, the defense attorney can submit a letter to the prosecutor. The letter can outline the reasons why the evidence is insufficient to prosecute the defendant or that there is considerable reasonable doubt that either a battery occurred or that the defendant committed it.
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