News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Driver accused of DUI tracks missing laptop to Illinois State trooper's house. Parent comment

Re:Driver accused of DUI tracks missing laptop to Illinois S... by qingcharles on Monday May 11, 2026 @11:46AM (#48096559)
Even if it is a criminal offense, a prosecutor still has to bring charges. No prosecutor is ever bringing charges against a cop unless there is an absolute media frenzy that pushes it beyond the point it can be ignored.

Prosecutors need cops. Cops bring them cases. Cops testify in their cases. If they piss off the cops they can't do their job.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Driver accused of DUI tracks missing laptop to Illinois S... by Zigurd on Monday May 11, 2026 @12:43PM (#48097367)
This is fixable. Many jurisdictions have a provision for outside prosecutors appointed by courts.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Driver accused of DUI tracks missing laptop to Illinois S... by qingcharles on Monday May 11, 2026 @01:10PM (#48097707)
They do, special prosecutors, but the court has to appoint them. The bar is extremely high for getting a judge (80% ex-prosecutors) to appoint a private attorney or outside-jurisdiction prosecutor as a special prosecutor.

Again, sadly, almost never happens.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Driver accused of DUI tracks missing laptop to Illinois S... by Zigurd on Monday May 11, 2026 @02:33PM (#48098840)
I have to agree it almost never happens. It needs to be normalized among the public and institutionalized in governments.
[ Parent | on HN ]