Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Attorney Goodman Comments on New Bill That Could Hold Prosecutors Liable in CA

Make The Right Call 714-879-5770  >
Font import
If you’re facing criminal charges in Orange County complete the form to speak with Attorney Goodman
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

dedicated to criminal defense
for over 20+ years
  • If you need a lawyer,
    she is the one you want.
    “Her knowledge and professionalism are what helped me get through a difficult time.”
    avvo review
  • A huge difference in my life!

    “ Huge difference in my life, and just wanted to say thank you for putting your cape on and protecting me when I needed it.”
    avvo review
  • Highly recommend!

    “There are no words to describe what it means to have a lawyer save you from your mistakes and give you a chance to change.”
    avvo review

Under current California State laws, if a prosecutor withholds certain evidence during a trial, they can be punished by the State Bar of California and the judge working the case. This can result in them losing their license to practice and the judge can even remove that prosecutor or their DA's office from a particular case.

Proposed New Bill: AB 1909

With a potential new bill, AB 1909, Governor Jerry Brown will be deciding whether or not this type of misconduct can also result in criminal charges against the prosecutor, labeling this type of offense as a felony. While many district attorneys are not in favor of this bill, Attorney Jacqueline Goodman, who is the secretary of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice organization which sponsored the legislation, believes that Governor Brown should vote it into law.

Thoughts from Attorney Goodman

Attorney Goodman believes that this bill should even be a controversial issue and provided the following statement to the Los Alamitos Patch:

"Gov. Brown has rightly recognized the profound harm that has resulted from mass incarceration over the last several years. But unlike with other felonies, if signed into law, AB 1909 would hold prosecutors accountable for intentionally withholding evidence of innocence in criminal trials, resulting in fewer wrongful convictions and less severe prison sentences.

Unless the problem of prosecutorial misconduct is even more widespread than we realize, this new felony should have the effect of reducing the prison population -- indeed by culling the innocent from that population."

She also believes that trustworthy prosecutors should be some of the first in line to approve of this bill, which does not condone the "abuse of the public trust." There is also some dispute about whether or not the punishment should be so severe as to charge these prosecutors with a felony. Goodman makes note that the existing law in California already provides felony punishment for any peace officer that fails to provide corresponding evidence, therefore concealing the material.

ARE YOU FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES IN ORANGE COUNTY? YOU NEED JACQUELINE ON YOUR SIDE.

HAVE OUR OFFICE REACH OUT TO YOU

real people. real results.

  • +

    MISDEMEANOR SETTLEMENT

    MISDEMEANOR SETTLEMENT

    2ND DUI

    Misdemeanor on completion of community service - Felony 2nd DUI, under 21 with injury.

    +

    case dismissed

    CASE REJECTED

    ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER

    Los Angeles Arrest Pre-filing representation on Attempted murder of police officer, assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer.

    +

    CASE
    REJECTED

    CASE REJECTED

    ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

    Strike felonies including assault with a deadly weapon - car with great bodily injury.

  • +

    case dismissed

    Case dismissed

    CAR ACCIDENT

    Car accident, no license, speeding (filed by Anaheim City Attorney).

    +

    case dismissed

    Case dismissed

    CHILD ENDANGERMENT / CRUELTY

    Penal Code 273a(b) Child endangerment/cruelty.

    +

    case dismissed

    Case dismissed

    CHILD MOLESTATION

    Child molestation: Felony.

  • +

    PROBATION TERMINATED EARLY

    PROBATION TERMINATED EARLY

    COMMERCIAL BURGLARY

    Commercial burglary probation violation: dismissed, no violation found.

    +

    case dismissed

    Case dismissed

    CONTEMPT OF COURT ORDER

    Contempt of court order by a gang member.

    +

    Case dismissed

    Case dismissed

    CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

    Child Sex Abuse case dismissed.

Contact Us
English/Español