I noticed Yet another teacher/educator was charged yesterday with sexually assaulting a student. By my count that makes 4 in Colorado Springs since the beginning of the year. That seems like a very startling number of allegations. I am not commenting on the truth of any of these charges. However, I think them coming in rapid succession to the media publicized charges should lead the police and District Attorneys Office to be very careful in critical of the allegations made. A persons life, career and reputation are on the line. These allegations are life wreckers.
Unfortunately I have seen in my years of practice the investigation is basic and flawed in nearly all the cases. Generally they consist of a victim interview with little to know follow up on contradictions or inconsistencies. A interview with the accused usually in a very accusatory fashion guaranteed to cause fear and a great deal of stress. Sometimes they also try a Pre-text phone call to the accused by the alleged victim or their parent and lie to the accused promising if they apologize (to something they may have or may have not done) they will get a guarantee that no police action will commence.
I will discuss these three tactics and their general flaws over the next several days. Would love to hear your input.
Ted McClintock
Coloradocriminaldefense.com
719-520-3968