Fort Lauderdale Show-Up Identification Attorneys
Show-up identification, like a lineup identification, is a type of eyewitness identification. During a show-up, witnesses or victims are typically confronted with just one person, rather than a group of potential suspects.
Unlike lineups, which almost always happen in police stations, a show-up is much more likely to happen in the field. Sometimes, a show-up will happen at the scene of the alleged crime. This is most likely to occur when the police have caught the suspect soon after a crime was committed. If you have been identified after a show-up, our Fort Lauderdale show-up identification attorney can make sure your rights are upheld.
Using Show-Up Identification and a Lineup
In some cases, law enforcement officers may require a suspect to undergo both a show-up and a lineup. For example, a police officer may chase a suspect after a hit-and-run. If they catch the suspect, they may bring them back to the scene of the accident so the other driver can identify them. Then, once the officer has filed charges against the suspect, they may arrange for a line-up to take place.
The theory for conducting both a show-up and a lineup is that the lineup can confirm the identification made during the show-up. A lineup can also help police confirm whether additional witnesses will also identify the accused as the one that committed the crime.
Show-Up Identification is Highly Unreliable
Show-ups generally take place soon after a crime has been committed. This means that for witnesses, faded memories do not pose the same problem they sometimes otherwise do. On the other hand, due to the small time gap between a crime and a show-up, witnesses are usually under a great deal of stress when a show-up occurs.
Additionally, it is also highly suggestive for a police officer to bring a suspect to a witness, particularly if the accused is in handcuffs and standing by a police officer at the time. In this scenario, a witness could feel pressured to identify the suspect as police are detaining them, even if the officer does not say anything to pressure the witness.
Even the U.S. Supreme Court has said in the past that the practice of show-up identifications has been widely condemned. Still, even with the statement from the highest court in the land, and the fact that show-up identifications are highly unreliable, the evidence obtained from them is usually considered admissible in court.
Consult Our Fort Lauderdale Show-Up Identification Attorney Today
If you believe that you have been the subject of an unreliable identification method, our Fort Lauderdale show-up identification attorney at Meldon Law can assist with your case. We will explain the law that is relevant to your case, protect your rights, and help you challenge the identification process. Call us today at 800-373-8000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
