Within the last few days it has to come to light that an officer at the Alton Police Department destroyed evidence in over 100 criminal cases.  This news not only calls into doubt the State’s ability to prosecute quite possibly a large percentage of these cases as well as a defendant’s ability to examine evidence that is to be used against him/her but also raises serious questions as to the chain of custody policies and procedures for all of the evidence in which the Alton Police Department possesses.As an example, if you have been accused of a narcotics violation, the State “bears the burden to establish a custody chain that is sufficiently complete to make it improbable that the evidence has been subject to tampering or accidental substitution.” People v. Woods, 828 N.E.2d 247, 255 (Ill. 2005).  If you have been charged with a criminal offense in IL, do yourself a favor and call an attorney that will do everything he can to clear your name.  Call Zach Pashea at the Law Office of Keith Short, P.C.  618-254-0055. http://thetelegraph.com/news/news/50120223/Evidence-lost-in-more-than-100-Madison-County-cases#.U-pvLIIo7mI