When you cross a police officer, in many West Virginia counties, you also cross one or more “badge bunny” prosecutors. I have found that the difference between a good prosector and a bad one is their backbone and their integrity. Confident, knowledgeable, experienced and honest prosecutors are independent. They do what is right. They know what is right – and what is wrong. Others lack confidence, as well as the backbone to be independent from law enforcement.
As you venture between various counties in West Virginia, you will encounter prosecutors of both types. I have encountered the badge bunny prosecutor derangement syndrome in one particular West Virginia county several times now. In these badge bunny jurisdictions, even the magistrates are not immune from infection. In fact, some are former police officers themselves. Unfortunately, almost none are former lawyers. Hell, who needs legal training when deciding bothersome legal issues, such as one’s freedom? Magistrates are almost always infected where there is an outbreak among prosecutors. If a prosecutor or a cop says the sky is purple, then the sky is purple. Defendants and defense attorneys are scum – even if they are not scum. They are worthless bastards.
If you want to experience injustice, piss off a cop in one of these counties. For instance, you could have an affair with his wife. He may be of the sort to arrest you illegally and beat you down when no one is looking, and while you are handcuffed. A badge bunny prosecutor would proceed to prosecute you. You could show him evidence that you were illegally arrested, and that you were illegally beaten. The evidence could be indisputable. But your barking up the wrong tree. Unlike the good prosecutors, justice is not his concern, getting convictions is. Protecting “his” or “her” law enforcement officers is priority numero uno.
So you then could file some civil lawsuits. Then you have really made it personal to the prosecutor. Justice gets thrown to the wayside altogether, and you now have crosshairs on your back. Your only way out is through a trial.
Now compare this to the often-seen scenario when a police officer violates the law. He gets a sweetheart deal and fades from the spotlight conviction-free. If it doesn’t piss you off now that this injustice and tyranny exists in West Virginia, then just wait until it happens to you. Good people get wrongfully arrested in West Virginia. Then you will need a lawyer who has the guts to stand up to these scoundrels and fight them on their home field. Choose carefully.