While it is common for prosecutor’s offices to release press notices excusing a dismissal or lost case, San Juan County prosecutors have refined this behavior to an art. Whether it is taxpayer money spent on an out of court financial settlement because of wrongful arrests or justifying a false accusation that had no basis in fact, our prosecutor’s office has become an out of control power with virtually no oversight. Because the prevalence of prosecutorial abuse is a nationwide problem, organizations such as The Justice Project in Washington DC are calling for investigations and accountability. The Justice Project states:
“Recent studies reveal that prosecutorial misconduct is a systemic reality within the criminal justice system. In 2003, a study conducted by the Center for Public Integrity found that prosecutorial misconduct was a factor in dismissed charges, reversed convictions, or reduced sentences in at least 2,012 cases since 1970. In 28 of those cases, involving 32 separate defendants, prosecutorial misconduct led to the wrongful conviction of innocent individuals.”
Make no mistake, readers. When the prosecutor’s office dismisses a case it is because they had no evidence to proceed and most likely had no evidence to begin with. Why then would they charge a person wrongfully? They have nothing to lose. A case won is justification for state money, kudos for the prosecutor and further entrenchment of their power. A case lost is excused by the prosecutor’s office. That taxpayer dollars were needlessly spent is of no consequence to them. Even less important is truth or reason. Political cronies making back room deals are the norm.
Most of us have lives that are full of family, work and community interests and have no time for a nebulous claim of injustice in our county justice system. My family was just like yours, until we were forced to the realization of a corruption beyond our imaginations. As Edmond Burke once stated “For evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.”
Elise Anderson
Orcas Island
