Howard Cooper quoted in Law360 article assessing likely changes in priorities of U.S. Attorney's Office in wake of presidential election
Criminal defense experts, including Howard M. Cooper of Todd & Weld, in a Law360 article weighed in on what to expect from a new U.S. Attorney likely to be appointed in Massachusetts in the wake of the presidential election.
Defense lawyers and other experts expect a shift away from the more controversial hallmarks of current U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling's tenure, which include a hardline approach to sentencing guidelines and immigration enforcement, according to Law360.
"There have been a number of prosecutions that I think most members of the criminal defense bar have felt troubled by," Mr. Cooper told the publication.
Mr. Cooper highlighted the case brought against a state court judge, Shelley Joseph, who is charged with helping a suspected undocumented immigrant evade federal custody by allowing him to slip out the back door of her courthouse while U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents waited out front.
"Most lawyers observing that case outside of the U.S attorney's office feel that it is overly aggressive and an intrusion into state judicial processes," said Mr. Cooper.
A Founding Partner of Todd & Weld, Mr. Cooper for over three decades has successfully handled on behalf of clients a wide array of litigation cases, often involving high-profile issues. His extensive trial court experience includes representing clients in complex civil disputes and criminal defense matters.