http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/07/probe-launched-into-alleged-beating-of-pregnant-woman-by-sapd/
Since the invention of cell phone cameras, police brutality has come up more and more often in the news. It is simply easier for private citizens to catch officers on tape engaging in acts they would not be engaging in if they knew the cameras were rolling. The most recent example of this occurred earlier this week in San Antonio, when a pregnant woman was arrested on a warrant, and then beaten by police officers. The incident was caught on tape by a man standing across the street who had a camera on his cell phone. A probe has been launched into the incident by the San Antonio Police Department, and the article posted above makes no mention of any pending charges against the officers.
Similar allegations of police brutality have occurred in the Houston area. In May of this year Former Houston Police Officer Andrew Blomberg was acquitted of charges that he used unnecessary force in order to detain and arrest a teenage burglary suspect. When a public servant acting under color of law intentionally subjects another to mistreatment or to arrest, detention, search, seizure, dispossession, assessment, or lien that he knows is unlawful, he commits the offense of official oppression. Official oppression is a class A misdemeanor, which means that it is punishable by up to a year in jail, and up to a $4,000 fine. These cases can often be difficult for the prosecution to prove because juries do not like to second guess an officer who claims he was in fear for his life, or was attempting to subdue a suspect.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, you need competent and zealous representation. Call the Law Office of The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp today for a free consultation.
