[thebaron512]

An sheriff's detective builds a false case and the sheriff's office wonders why they should be not liable? The prosecutor's used the sheriff's detective's information to prosecute, so where is the independent decision at?

They asked for their own troubles for holding false witness against another. Sounds like they need some house cleaning in their sheriff's office.

[Publius6961]

It's hard to identify the point in time when juries lost the sense of proportionality...
And they dragged the judicial system right along with them.

[ExcursionGuy84]

Very possible & likely....but $18,000,000 for what damages????

[doc30]

The only thing that sheriff's department cares about is making arrests in order to look like they are solving crimes. It doesn't matter if who they arrest is the perpetrator or not so long as someone is in jail in order for the crime to be solved. If they get the wrong guy, all effort must be made to protect the department because they cannot appear to have made a mistake. I bet the actual officer will swear to his grave that this teacher is guilty. His police instincts tell him so inspite of the evidence.

[Bommer]

A jury found Ramirez not guilty after he produced ATM receipts and cell phone records showing he was miles from the scene when the crime occurred. A judge later made the rare finding that he was "factually innocent."

Great way of getting away with a crime. Hand my ATM and cell phone over to my wife. Tell her to call me at a certain time, when I'm robbing a convenience store and when she's on the phone, ask her to got to the nearest ATM pull $20 for me.

[ClearCase_guy]

Would anyone be interested in accusing me of kidnapping and assaulting them? My odds of winning Powerball are not good, but I sure would like to have millions of dollars. So, if you could help me out, just call the police and say I was the one who did it...

[JamesP81]

The sheriff's dept got what it deserved.

[taxcontrol]

I have a hard time with this one. According to the article, the victim of the crime identified the suspect as the person who assaulted her. Second, if it is known that the backpack did not have his finger prints, then the backpack was taken into evidence.

So I'm thinking that the officer did what he was supposed to do. For example, person 1 accuses person 2 of a crime. Officer arrests person 1 and collects evidence and turns over to forensics for analysis (fingerprints). If the system works anything like what my cop friends tell me, at that point in time, the DA takes over the case, reviews the evidence and decides to go to trial.

I don't see how an officer can prevent evidence from being turned over to the DA or how he is responsible for the victim incorrectly identifying him as the perp.

Based upon what limited information is in the article... I have a hard time finding fault with the officers actions.

[Mark was here]

The money should come out of their pension funds. If the retirees get less too bad. Spare the taxpayer.

[KarlInOhio]

Although I don't know all the details, as presented here I think the sheriff and his deputies should be held personally responsible for this instead of the department. If it were me, I would be far happier with a smaller settlement and a stack of badges from people who would never be in law enforcement again.

[FreePaul]

Eighteen million dollars sounds like a lot of money to award for this case. BUT, the fact that the officer and prosecutors are still employed and being defended makes me think that it isn't enough. Something will have to get the attention of the sheriff and his henchmen and impress on them that this conduct by officers can't be allowed.

[Salvation]

Wondering if any of the false accusations against priest would be resolved in this way?

[stinkerpot65]

Detectives and prosecutors who hide evidence should do prison time.

[Libertarian444]

Because the county is not insured, the award, if upheld, would be paid by the department....

Why isn't the county insured??

[Galveston Grl]

One for the good guys...

[Cinnamon Girl]

This is exactly what our taxes are for, right? To pay out huge awards for these shenanigans.

[joebuck]

Most courts have what is called the power of remitter. This means a judge can unilaterally reduce an award which they believe is excessive and not supported by the evidence. I would expect the power to be invoked in this case. (but, you never know.....this IS California we are talking about)

[ARA]

Baca is a total joke, as are all of the Sherriffs in LA County.... A bunch of high strung wanna bees...

[TChris]

...and Detective Bravo will be charged with obstruction of justice, when?

*** crickets chirping ***