One of the Most Difficult Things for Anyone to Do

question 82

Essay

One of the most difficult things for anyone to do is admit they were wrong. The stakes are especially high for prosecutors, who risk wrongfully imprisoning or even seeking the death penalty for innocent people. You are a prosecutor with a busy caseload, and it has come to your attention that a police department, which you work closely with has recently been involved in a bribery and coercion scandal involving a local gang. Witnesses, without your knowledge, were paid to testify, and sometimes physically threatened to stay silent. A handful of cases you prosecuted have been overturned already, but you know of dozens more. Some of the convicted might be innocent; some are definitely guilty. You are not in a state that has a provision for Model Rules explicit to prosecutors. What do you feel is your ethical and moral responsibility to this situation? Explain in detail.

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Definitions:

Healthy People 2020

A U.S. government initiative aiming to improve the health and well-being of its citizens through various objectives set for the year 2020.

Vision

A future-oriented declaration of an organization's purpose and aspirations, guiding its strategic planning.

Mission

A statement or vision that defines the purpose, objectives, and approach of an organization.

Tuberculosis

A contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs, but may spread to other organs.