Weinstein’s status will likely lead to different treatment: legal analyst

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been released on a $1 million bond.

The former movie mogul had turned himself in to police in New York and charged with multiple sex crimes Friday morning.

“The next process will be for court appearances and ultimately for some sort of evidenciary hearing to be set down whether it’s a trial or preliminary inquiry,” explains NEWS 1130 Legal Analyst Michael Shapray.

Being of a certain status and wealth, Shapray says it’s inevitable Weinstein’s fame will lead to different treatment as he faces charges.

“I think that the prosecutors will treat the case differently because of the profile, that’s human nature. They have got a big fish and someone of a high profile and celebrity nature, and they always tend to act differently in those cases.

“There’s obviously going to be a different level of media scrutiny on the case, that can affect a judge or a jury on a case as well.”

He adds Weinstein’s ability to easily pay the bond and also defend himself with high-priced and power lawyers shows how this case differs from the norm.

Weinstein now has until next Wednesday to decide whether he wants to testify in front of a grand jury. He has been charged with rape and a criminal sex act — both felonies.

“These crimes are serious, sexual crimes that are being prosecuted against him. If he were to be convicted down the road, he would be facing a significant jail sentence.”

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Shapray says despite all the allegations against the former producer, no case is a slam dunk.

“Allegations that are learned about in the media and through social media are not what gets presented in court,” Shapray says. “The manner that evidence is presented in court and the way allegations are presented in court is very different than in the general discussion, and it’s what can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

“And of course all the evidence presented in court can be challenged through cross-examinations, contradictory evidence, and the accused has the right to testify on his own behalf as well.”

Prosecutors say Weinstein used his “position, money and power to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually.”

More than 75 woman have accused him of wrongdoing. Weinstein is now under constant electronic monitoring and is bound by a ban on traveling beyond New York and Connecticut.

He remains under investigation for alleged sex crimes in Los Angeles and London.

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