Can a prosecutor commit misconduct if they attacks the integrity of defense counsel?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Melendez, H037581 (Cal. App. 2013):

"A prosecutor commits misconduct if he or she attacks the integrity of defense counsel, or casts aspersions on defense counsel. [Citations.]" (People v. Hill (1998) 17 Cal.4th 800, 832.) " 'An attack on the defendant's attorney can be seriously prejudicial as an attack on the defendant himself, and, in view of the accepted doctrines of legal ethics and decorum [citation], it is never excusable.' [Citation.]" (Ibid.)

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