Jeffrey Kriv, one of Chicago’s most prolific drunk-driving enforcers during his more than 25 years as a cop, was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and ordered to pay $4,515 in restitution after pleading guilty last week to a lesser charge of felony theft. A plea agreement with prosecutors in Cook County, where Chicago is located, allowed Kriv to avoid jail time and ended the criminal case against him, but the implications of his actions go far beyond his own case.

A ProPublica analysis of court and police records has found that prosecutors have dropped at least 92 traffic and criminal cases that were based on arrests Kriv made and tickets he wrote. Most of the cases that were dismissed involved drunk and dangerous driving. Defense attorneys in those cases have cited Kriv’s perjury case and his credibility issue.

ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune previously detailed Kriv’s history of alleged misconduct as an officer, including that he’d been investigated at least 26 times over allegations of dishonesty for falsifying records, making false arrests and other matters. He was the subject of nearly 100 complaints from citizens and fellow officers in his career; most officers face far fewer.

  • saltesc@lemmy.world
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    23 hours ago

    My dumb brain was like, “Jesus, how hardcore were these traffic offenses?..”

    facing trial for perjury and forgery

    “… Oh! The fraud! Yeah, what the fuck?!”

    • whiwake@lemmy.cafe
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      23 hours ago

      I also thought this. Jail for traffic tickets would be a bit much haha.

      • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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        21 hours ago

        I know some guys who deserve jailtime for their driving habits.

        s’really too bad cops won’t act on tips about drunks unless they can see it themselves.