Law & the Debate on Honesty: From an Officers Point of View

If not directly questioned about an event, should an officer leave out facts or information during his/her testimony that may assist the defense?

Honesty is always the best policy. Regarding the description of an event the officer needs to be honest.  If an officer leaves out facts which are the truth and considered the truth when explaining a situation then the officer’s testimony may be considered to be false.  Perjuring oneself in the court room—is a serious crime.  Everyone deserves the truth and the facts are the facts.

Judgments should not be added to any factual information which could assist the defense. Leaving out facts in order to falsely paint a picture to mislead the jury is a crime.  In the classic well known movie” To Kill a Mockingbird” information was purposely left out by the female part who accused the defendant of rape.  By leaving out information which could have saved the defendant from being falsely prosecuted secondary because of his race; the female plaintiff perjured herself; though the movie didn’t indicate this; still it was known by the audience.  This movie displayed a very good example of perjury and how by not stating actual facts can cause a person’s life to be destroyed.  Another movie which depicts how a lie can ruin someone’s life is the 2007 movie “Atonement” written by Joe Wright.  A young sister accuses her sister’s lover of a crime he didn’t commit.  Though this information wasn’t viewed on a witness stand in the movie, the facts are the facts. The information which is misconstrued or withheld can injure someone’s life forever.

So my answer is not to an officer leaving out facts when giving his or her testimony.  The facts are the facts and they are the most important elements within any case.

Lee, H. (1960).The Movie-To Kill a Mockingbird.DVD

Hampton, C. & McEwan, I. (2007). The Movie-Atonement. DVD