As recent events in the Boston Marathon bombings showed, video and surveillance footage can be vital to criminal investigations in identifying and apprehending suspects accused of crimes. However, an often overlooked component to this is the ability for video footage to exonerate suspects in criminal defense cases.
Videos cameras can be found just about everywhere — from inside police cruisers to department stores to gas stations and even at traffic lights, not to mention the countless people with camera phones. As a result, if you are involved in a criminal investigation, chances are that video footage exists of the alleged incident(s) in question.
If you have been wrongly accused of a crime, this video footage will be crucial for your defense in the case. Everything from shoplifting to assault charges can be contested if defendants can visibly prove their innocence.
While video footage can often be obtained in the course of the discovery process, it is important that this footage be secured as soon as possible to avoid its tampering or destruction. If there are witnesses that captured incidents with their cell phone cameras, be sure to make note of who has these recordings.
If you have any questions about how video evidence can be used for or against you in a criminal defense case and live in San Jose, Sunnyvale, San Francisco or surrounding areas of Santa Clara County, call the Law Offices of Holden W. Green. We offer a free and confidential 35-minute phone consultation and can assist you with various criminal defense matters.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
