Ethics

The Recorder is carrying the story of a spate of recent California State Bar disciplinary actions against prosecutors.  It's often said that discipline is rarely sought against prosecutors, and so people are naturally asking if this is all a reaction to the Duke lacrosse fiasco masterminded by Michael Nifong.  You should read the whole article but here's a key passage:

Some attorneys who defend lawyers facing discipline believe state bars around the country, including California?s, have begun scrutinizing prosecutors more closely following the North Carolina State Bar?s decision last year to disbar Michael Nifong.

?Lots of prosecutors are getting caught in the crosshairs,? Los Angeles attorney Diane Karpman said, because the public senses some ?aren?t playing by the rules.?

But State Bar Supervising Deputy Trial Counsel Donald Steedman,  . . . said that while it?s ?fairly rare? to have so many cases against prosecutors under way at once, there really is no rhyme or reason.

Fred Zacharias and Bruce Green have published some good articles about disciplining and regulating prosecutors.