How does the U.S. justice system handle cases involving police shootings?

When a police officer fatally shoots someone in the line of duty, it is the criminal justice system’s responsibility to determine if the shooting was legally permissible or unlawful. As part of this process, there are generally two investigations that happen: one by the police department where the shooting took place, and one by the state or federal government.

The first investigation typically involves a review of the officer's use of force to determine if it was within departmental policies and procedures. In some cases, this may lead to disciplinary action, including termination or criminal charges. The second investigation examines whether the officer committed a crime or violated someone’s civil rights, and if so, criminal charges can be filed. A grand jury usually decides whether to indict the officer in question.

If the officer is indicted, they will stand trial for the charges against them. If they are found guilty, they may face significant prison time and other penalties. However, if they are not indicted, the case is closed, and the officer is typically not charged for the incident.

Each case is unique and determined based on the evidence presented by both the defense and prosecution. While some cases may result in charges brought against the officer, others may lead to no charges at all. Ultimately, the handling of these cases by the justice system is to determine whether the officer acted reasonably and lawfully or in violation of the law.