Dashcams Protect Us from Police Misconduct
Video Surveillance Cameras Seem to be Everywhere
We watch the news and social media, and so much of our daily lives has been recorded by someone. Videos are uploaded and shared by us and others almost continuously. Cameras are everywhere, or so it seems. We’ve come to expect there to be video footage of almost everything that happens in our lives.
Police Often Have Access to Video Evidence
Some police organizations have dash cams mounted on their cruisers. Many more departments have police officers wear body cams. They have an ability to acquire video evidence when it exists and when it benefits their case. Curiously, video footage is often unavailable from official sources when there are questions about police conduct.
Their Word Against Yours
When the police give a citation or file charges, either civil or criminal, they are required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the offense. Usually, the police are considered credible. The police are usually taken at their word. The defendant doesn’t have any way to prove that they are innocent, even though they are technically considered innocent prior to conviction. Innocent people are at a disadvantage.
That is all changing.
