CCTV evidence can be problematic

If you find yourself facing criminal charges, then this means that law enforcement believes they have evidence that you committed an offense. The prosecution can then review this evidence and decide whether to drop the charges or go to trial.

If the latter happens, then it is up to the prosecution to prove that you are guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.

The argument has been raised that you were caught on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) committing the offense. At first, this may sound compelling, but is CCTV footage always conclusive?

Where did the alleged crime take place?

CCTV is largely utilized by businesses but anyone can install it for security reasons. What this means is that there is a range of cameras on the market. Some are designed for home use, some are designed for high-security institutions such as banks. Quality can vary greatly between cameras and small businesses are less likely to be able to afford top-of-the-range equipment. Some businesses may also have older systems installed. Simply put, the footage that allegedly captures you may not be very good quality. If you cannot be identified beyond all reasonable doubt, then you should not be convicted of the crime.

Footage can be modified

Many CCTV systems record a live play-by-play version of events, but this isn’t always the case. Timing is everything in some criminal cases and if the camera cannot accurately place you in a certain place at a certain time, the “evidence” then becomes unreliable.

Additionally, although advances in technology have brought higher quality footage, this footage is also susceptible to being tampered with. Someone with a little know-how could modify footage.

If the evidence against you is questionable then you have every right to challenge it. You should not do this by yourself. Having legal guidance behind you will increase the odds of you obtaining a more favorable outcome in your case.