Police reports are formal documents which provide the details of a criminal event or activity. These documents include the location, date and time of the occurrence. In addition, the details of the event are described and the names of any individuals involved in the matter are included in the report. Eyewitness observations may also be contained in the report. Moreover, if witness information is included in the report, their name, phone number, address and physical description is included in the report.
How Police Reports Work in a Criminal Case
Police reports are utilized in criminal cases in a variety of ways. Initially, the police report may be used in court as part of a case or as part of court statements in order to establish the date, time or location of the crime. Moreover, the report may establish any of the following facts:
- description of the crime scene
- whether the crime scene was secured and if so, how
- whether emergency medical technicians were at the crime scene
- whether the victim received medical treatment and if so, the type of treatment
- if the case involves a death, whether the decedent was pronounced dead at the crime scene and if so, by whom
- whether detectives were at the crime scene
- observations of the police or detectives, including diagrams, sketches, police quotes or sheriff statements
- whether witnesses were at the crime scene and whether the police spoke to the witnesses
Getting Legal Help
If one is involved in a criminal matter, it is important to obtain the counsel of an experienced criminal attorney. A criminal attorney will not only be able to ensure that one’s rights are protected, but also the attorney will be able to review police reports to make sure that any information contained in the report was obtained properly and is valid; if the attorney finds that there is a problem with the police report, the attorney may be able to have the case dismissed or the charges reduced based upon a procedural error. Lawyers will also help deal with Hostile Witnesses in getting facts and testimonies revealed in a case.
