Legal
Harmful Error
From The Angolite;
Jan/Feb/Mar 2004 Issue
The following examples of prosecutable
misconduct were held by appellate
courts to be grounds for reversing
sentences, convictions or dismissing the changes:
^ Hiding, destroying or tampering with evidence, case files or court records:
^ Failing to disclose exculpatory evidence:
^ Threatening, badgering or tampering with witnesses:
^ Improper behavior during grand jury proceedings:
^ Excluding jurors on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender or other discriminatory grounds:
^ Making inappropriate or inflammatory comments in from of the jury:
^ Introducing or trying to introduce inadmissible or inflammatory evidence:
^ Mis-characterizing evidence or facts to the court or jury:
^ Making improper closing arguments:
^ Harassing, displaying bias toward or having a vendetta against a defendant or defense lawyer, including denial of speedy trial and selective or vindictive prosecution.
Source: "Harmful Error: Investigating America's Local Prosecutors" (2003),
Center for Public Integrity, Washington D.C.
