Cases Demonstrate How Video Recording Protects the Confession Part II
Two cases from late 2013 show us clear benefits to how video recording protects confessions. This month we highlight, Reed v. Woods(September 2013) took place in Louisiana and Michigan respectively. The case Reed v. Woods was reopened to address the defendant’s claim that his confession was coerced. In the end, the US District Court in […]
New Law Reverses 100+ Year Ban on Recording Interview & Interrogations
Big changes are taking place in Washington when it comes to the recording of interrogations of suspects in criminal cases. In fact, as recently as May 22, 2014, the Department of Justice announced a new policy, one that would be “sweeping” that stand to have a major impact. According to the CBS News article Feds […]
The Buzz around the DOJ’s Recent Decision to Record Interrogations
The networks have been abuzz the last couple weeks with news on the Feds recent decision to overturn bans on recording interrogations. Check out the latest highlights from the top news sources around the country. NY Times: Justice Department to Reverse Ban on Recording Interrogations. Check out the memo from the Justice Department that calls for […]
Preparation for Child Custody Court Ordered Mediation
In cases where child custody is contested, family lawyers, therapists, and mediators can help parents in this difficult situation. The plan being developed needs to be child-centered, so that the child’s interests are taken care of first. Also, it’s imperative that non-invasive, simple mechanisms are in place to take care of recording conversations among all […]
Why Custodial Interrogations are a Win-Win for the Innocent
Although the laws vary from state to state around the country regarding whether recorded interrogations are required for submission in a court setting, the value and advantage of providing them have become apparent to all parties involved when it comes to protecting the innocent from false confessions and more. Learn highlights of these advantages highlighted […]
Videotaping as Part of Interviewing Best Practices
While some are still are undecided about whether recording a witness’s complete interview will potentially cause a witness to suppress information, the evidence that it protects the witness and can reduce false confessions has grown. Learn specific ways that videotaping when it comes to interrogations is being shown to help more than it “harms.” What […]
Top 8 Benefits to Using ERI in and out of the Courtroom
The benefits of statewide requirements of electronic recording of custodial interrogations are many, including reducing wrongful convictions, to avoid disputes about what is said during interviews and to allow law enforcement and other parties to review recordings after they have been made. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has published 16 Top Benefits to […]
Cases Demonstrate How Video Recording Protects the Confession Part I
Two cases from late 2013 show us clear benefits to how video recording protects confessions. This month we highlight, State v. Walker (November 2013) An appeals trial was held to determine whether the assigned guilt and sentencing of a man accused of murdering two women in June of 2011 should be overturned. During the previous […]
State-by-State: A Compendium of Laws, Statutes and Activity on ERI
Over the last 10 years the number of states which have adopted laws requiring the use of electronic equipment have increased. While not all 50 states record ERI at this point, at least one department in every state is utilizing digital video and recording equipment to capture interrogations. Learn what the laws are in your […]
Standard 2.12 Non-Consensual Electronic Surveillance
Last month we considered the laws around consensual electronic surveillance in Standard 2.11 and want to take a look at the details involved in Standard 2.12, which is the standard on the non- consensual use of electronic surveillance as made available from the American Bar Association. What is “non-consensual electronic surveillance?” According to Standard 2.12 […]