TIL The parents of one of John Wayne Gacy’s victims, John Butkovich, called police more than a hundred times to urge them to investigate him further. Their son had vanished in 1975, and had been one of Gacy’s employees.

In fairness, I work in Canada and it sounds like you're talking about some American jurisdiction based on your comment about a public defenders system. We have a legal aid certificate regime here. I completely agree that the public defenders sound woefully underfunded in many parts of America. We have problems with poor funding of legal aid as well, but most ppl facing jail who meet the financial eligibility requirements will get a certificate and be properly represented. I rarely deal with self represented persons (maybe twice?).

And in response, again way to generalize based on anecdotal experience. We have a vigorous special investigations unit and discipline system here for the police. We dont tolerate the sort of behaviour you might in the great old USA. And who are you to speak again as if you know how alllll prosecutors behave. Just because you feel you've been hard done by someone doesnt mean they all behave this way.

Moreover, you cannot possibly reasonably advance a claim that prosecutors are corrupt and vile and only after a conviction. Everyone in jail has been hard done by some prosecutor out there to get them? Please, I am not risking my job or reputation for a case. None of my colleagues ever would. Its insulting to the entire criminal justice system that ignorant people speak like this when they dont realize the extensive checks and balances in place that govern our behaviour.

We are not voted in, we dont work with the judges, and we have independence. I dont take direction from anyone. I agree that the American system of voting in the district attorney and judges is really outrageous, and probably leads to a lot more ill behaviour. We dont do that here because we dont want people to be worried about election or conviction rates rather than doing what is right. My boss has never asked me for conviction rates (I dont even know that I would know because I dont track it) and we are governed by the principle that the Crown never wins or loses, only sees that justice is done.

I really do feel sorry for Americans, sounds like your justice system is really fucked up. Here we have a pretty good relationship with the defense bar, rarely is there acrimony even between the defense and cops, and judges regularly hold the crown to task if something isnt right. I still defend the police because most are honorable normal people who really do want to serve and protect. At least in Canada.

/r/todayilearned Thread Parent Link - en.wikipedia.org