There have been recent disclosures with regard to the numerous problems faced by the Nassau County Police Crime Laboratory. Nassau County faces the potential that numerous individuals were convicted based on erroneous findings of the Nassau County Crime Laboratory. There is the potential for many lawsuits related to the poor quality of the testing work performed by the Nassau County Crime Laboratory.
History of Problems
Crime Laboratories
The police and the district attorneys’ offices rely on crime laboratories to process data related to drugs and other compounds seized by the police. When the crime laboratory’s integrity is challenged, it undermines the credibility of the entire law enforcement system.
Bad lab results can result in improper convictions. Individuals can be convicted of crimes they did not commit. Forensic evidence which includes blood samples, fingerprints and hair analysis is necessary for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
There have been many failures regarding the crime laboratory in Nassau County. Television viewers throughout the United States are familiar with the excellent work that can be accomplished by well-organized, sophisticated forensic investigations of a crime. The CSI television programs are largely responsible for educating the American public regarding these matters.
Presumption of Innocence
Approximately four years ago the Crime Laboratory was placed on probation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory directors. They took this action due to the poor quality of the analysis of drugs taken from criminals by the police. In 2010, the New York State Commission on Forensic Science conducted an inspection of the Nassau County Police laboratory. This resulted on the laboratory being placed on probation a second time. In February of 2011, all testing on narcotics in the laboratory ceased.
Individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Individuals charged with crimes are entitled to due process. This amounts to a fair and impartial legal system. There can be no due process when the police and prosecutors are relying on faulty, inaccurate, erroneous laboratory results caused by a flawed poorly run crime laboratory.
If you are charged with a crime, the Law Offices of Schlissel DeCorpo can provide you with aggressive legal representation. We experienced in representing individuals charged with drug offenses, domestic violence, assault and battery, juvenile defenses, driving while intoxicated (DWI), weapons possession, sex crimes, white collar crimes, violent crimes and other misdemeanors and felonies. We can assist you and help you save your license if you’re charged with traffic tickets. Feel free to call Elliot S. Schlissel, Esq. at 516-561-6645, 718-350-2802 or 1-800-344-6431. Our phones are monitored 24/7.
