Here is an interesting article echoing many of the qualms that have been continually voiced on this blog.

I do not have a lot of experience on this issue; sure, I've fought, bickered, disagreed, or been stupefied with some ASAs and AUSAs (and I am sure the feeling is mutual towards me) but, to my knowledge, it has been a rarity catching a blatantly deceptive prosecutor. Since I'm a former ASA with the Miami-Dade office (1987-1991), an affinity towards my former office may foster a rose-colored glasses scenario. I have detected a few suspicious actions but, for the most part, I do not handle the type of cases that rely on the use of informants that may lend itself to skullduggery. The unusual times I caught AUSAs doing something unscrupulous, I handled it myself rather than opt to take it to a higher source. There is no guarantee of honor anywhere if money, fame, power or advancement can be the reward for the outcome. Obviously, dishonesty is hardly limited to the Executive branch and I recognize that there have been many forms of greed and corruption that have plagued all facets of the "justice" system.

What interests me is taking a realistic look as to whether there is a distinct correlation between a political climate and what is mentioned in this article. Are prosecutors under pressure to carry out overriding agendas? Do the appointments of inexperienced players create a higher susceptibility to carrying out illicit objectives? Have ideologies, spite and vengeance infected the court system. That "civility" placard behind many judges can be a farce since it seems that the higher up you go in government, the less civility there may be.

There needs to be checks and balances in everything. What should be the checks and balances overseeing the Justice department?

Judges? Their rulings are now the subject of political jousts.

Defense Bar? Nah, too much of a conflict of interest.

Legislature? That may be the "pot calling the kettle black".

Civil review board? Unless you are a serious and studied insider, it would be pretty challenging for a layperson to even spot an issue.

I take no sides and do not know the answers. This article touches all that regularly walk through a court house and have certain expectations of having their sacred day in court.

So...thoughts?

Losing Trust in Justice Dept., Judges Call Out Its Lawyers’ Behavior

The federal courts have long assumed that the government’s lawyers are trustworthy. Now judges across the country are criticizing their lack of candor.

The notion that Justice Department lawyers can be taken at their word, a longtime assumption that allows federal courts to operate swiftly and smoothly, now appears to be in jeopardy. Credit...Eric Lee for The New York Times

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