“With each step of the legal process, the case against her is unraveling, as it should. The deeply problematic charges brought against ADA Teran seek to penalize a public servant for fulfilling her ethical duty to ensure transparency and uphold the Constitution, all in the name of shielding police misconduct behind a veil of secrecy.”
– Cristine Soto DeBerry,
Executive Director, Prosecutors Alliance
Prosecutors Alliance Executive Director Cristine Soto DeBerry issued the following statement on today’s decision by a California appeals court to order dismissal of the State’s case against Diana Teran:
“Today’s decision confirms what we’ve known from the very beginning: the case against Diana Teran was deeply flawed and legally baseless. It was an attempt to criminalize a public servant simply for carrying out her ethical and Constitutional responsibilities to disclose evidence of police misconduct. We are thrilled and relieved that the Court acknowledged the issues in this case and acted decisively to dismiss the charges.
Law enforcement agencies across California desperately need adequate oversight and robust transparency. The outcome in this case sends an important message that the law cannot be manipulated to keep police misconduct in the shadows.
For her entire career, Diana Teran has championed transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Today’s decision is a powerful affirmation of those principles.”
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