For LT's Lawyers, the Late Nights Begin
Today, in a Rockland County (NY) courtroom, former Giants star Lawrence Talyor pleaded not guilty to felony rape charges allegingly involving a paid sex act with an underage girl.
So what happens now?
Well, the criminal legal process now begins its most boring but important phase. After pleading not guilty, LT now has the right to "discovery" of documents and tests from the prosecution. Over the next few weeks, the prosecution will have to give the defense every piece of paper created by the police in the case (i.e. all police reports). In addition, if the prosecution has any scientific tests (like DNA evidence), these results also must be given to the defense.
All of the this information is criticial to the defense. If this case goes to trial, LT's attorneys must poke holes in the prosecution's case that can lead to creating "reasonable doubt." A good defense attorney will use discovery to devise theories of attacking the prosecution's case by disputing police reports, finding errors in witness testimony and discrediting DNA evidence.
In short, for Taylor's attorneys, this is when the hard work starts.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.