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Police Bodycam Footage Can Be An Asset for a Defendant

Posted by Joseph D. Lento | Aug 12, 2021 | 0 Comments

Across PA, police officers often wear body cameras to obtain audio and video recordings. While these recordings can sometimes help the prosecution by corroborating a police officer's account, they can also help the defense. Let me show you why.

How Can Police Bodycam Footage Help My Defense?

While police officers can rely on bodycam footage to support their version of events, the footage can also help the defense, particularly if your case goes to trial.

  • Bodycam footage may allow us to contradict a police officer's version of events, which could strengthen your case.
  • We can also use bodycam footage to corroborate or discredit a witness testimony, which may help us prove your innocence.
  • Bodycam footage, whether it's audio or video, can reveal whether a police officer acted inappropriately at any stage or attempted to coerce you into taking certain actions.
  • If your case goes to trial and the police can't provide bodycam footage to support their statement, the jurors may view this as suspicious, which can support your case.

Think of it this way. Before bodycam footage, judges and jurors typically faced one dilemma: which account should they believe, the police officer's or the defendant's? Unsurprisingly, this often placed a defendant at a disadvantage. Bodycam footage, however, helps the courts take an objective view of the evidence and evaluate your defense more fairly.

So, while bodycam footage can sometimes be used against you if it supports a police officer's testimony, it could actually support your defense in some cases.

Don't take any plea deal until a skilled PA attorney like Joseph Lento has the opportunity to review the bodycam footage and explain whether it strengthens or weakens your defense.

How Do I Access Bodycam Footage?

In PA, bodycam footage isn't public record, so you need to consult with a skilled criminal attorney who can pursue this footage for you under Act 22 of 2017. We must submit this request within 60 days of the recording date, so it's crucial you consult with an attorney as soon as possible if you're facing criminal charges.

There's always the chance that the Pennsylvania State Police will refuse the request, but it's possible to appeal their decision.

It's not always easy to get a hold of bodycam footage, but we will work tirelessly to ensure we obtain all police video or audio recordings available. Once we review the footage, we can evaluate your defense and decide on the best strategy for moving your case forward.

Trust LLF Law Firm To Assess the Situation

LLF Law Firm are skilled PA attorneys with the experience and dedication necessary to pursue bodycam footage on your behalf and assess if it supports your case. To find out how we can help, call 888-535-3686 or contact the LLF Law Firm online.

About the Author

Joseph D. Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento passionately fights for the futures of his clients in criminal courtrooms in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania as well as in New Jersey and nationwide. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. With unparalleled experience occupying several roles in the criminal justice system outside of being an attorney, Joseph D. Lento can give you valuable behind-the-scenes insight as to what is happening during all phases of the legal process. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

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The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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