In the TD today it said Betty McKinney retained Billy Underwood to help in the prosecution of the golf cart case.
Legally how can a citizen hire an attorney to help in a prosecution case?If one can that seems unethical
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quote:Originally posted by Trutooit-II:
Seems like the mayor's family would want to follow the law, not break it.
Yep. Pretty obvious that this is the case.quote:Originally posted by rechardbettyrey:
cherokee is not your typical town, no sidewalks, this is not about golf cart, its personal everyone should realize this.
quote:Originally posted by semiannualchick:
I thought anyone could hire an attorney for anything?
quote:Originally posted by Killen Lady:
yep....strickly personal...no one actually objected to the fact that this lady was in her golf cart because she CANNOT walk! Cherokee is NOT NY City....Vehicles can see her! You can ride a bicycle on the street! For heavens sake, put lights and flags on the cart for her and leave her alone! Personal, personal, personal!
quote:Originally posted by Sassy Kims:
It is perfectly legal for an attorney not in the employ of Government to prosecute cases. It's called "private prosecution". It can lead to allegations of biased prosecution though, and is not commonplace anymore. Some states have barred it, others still allow it.
I have heard of it several times. There was a rape case in Lauderdale County many years ago where the husband of the victim retained a very influential attorney from outside this area to prosecute the offender. The offender was convicted and sentenced to a long confinement.
quote:Originally posted by Clover-Dale:
So, yes, one can hire an attorney "for anything" as you said, but one exception is criminal cases where one is on the prosecuting side. For instance, if someone murders a close family member of mine, I can't run out and say I want Nancy Grace to come in and take the place of the local DA. It doesn't work that way. The government is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases -- private citizens have little say in the matter (even if you are the victim).
The ability to pick one's "prosecutor" only applies in civil trials (lawsuits) when one is the plaintiff.