Among the first presenters was Barbara K. Bosserman, senior legal counsel and professional responsibility officer with the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division for the Department of Justice.
Bosserman gave a legal overview on criminal acts by law enforcement and court officials.
Entitled “Color of Law Cases,” she explained these types of cases are geared at individuals of authority who abuse their positions and the civil rights of victims.
Some of the examples she cited included cases involving officers and judges.
She spoke of cases where judges were prosecuted for raping women in their chambers, in exchange for favors the women would seek if their spouse was sent to jail. There was another case where a law enforcement official brought victims into a bathroom and fondled them.
Under the Color of Law doctrine, the act of a state officer, regardless of whether the act is within the limits of his or her authority, is considered an act under color of law if the officer purports to be conducting himself or herself in the course of official duties. But if the state officer misuses that power, a crime is then committed.
“We have to show that whatever the defendant [does], they know it was wrong,” Bosserman pointed out.
Bosserman later addressed the issue of hate crimes in the community. There was also a video presentation on Dennis Shepard, the father of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, who was tied up to a fence in Laramie Wyoming and beaten severely by two men in October 1998. Matthew was found several hours later and rushed to a hospital, but died from his injuries.
Other issues discussed included human trafficking and more civil rights cases and issues.
The conference concluded yesterday with topics focusing on immigration laws and processes.
