I found a short article from the associated press relating that the Supreme Court in Washington was considering Wednesday the case of two procecutors loosing a suit against them personally, causing concern that this would have an impact on prosecutors' jobs.
In Pottawattamie County Iowa more than one man (unknown #) was convicted of first degree murder in a case. It was later disclosed at another trial that the police had witnesses who pointed to another likely suspect which was also known to the prosecutors. The prior convictions of the two men were thrown out. They in turn sued the prosecutors who lost the civil rights suit against them. They had argued that they had "absolute immunity because they were doing their jobs as prosecutors".
One can see how this would surely affect prosecutors nationwide if without perameters civil suits could be filed against them. Thus the Supreme Court will hopefully draw more decisive lines on this matter.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/a/w/1154/11-04-2009/20091104090510_24.html
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It will be interesting to see what is decided. It they allow civil suits to happen it will put more accountability on prosecutors to have the evidence supporting their case against the defendant and to ensure they have the right defendant on trial. However, it could drive prosecutors out of that state if they feel it is open season on them just like frivolous malpractice lawsuits have driven a lot of doctors out of this region.
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