Wrongful Convictions


Over the years, the United States justice system has incarcerated millions of people. But most importantly, some of these people have been victims of wrongful conviction because of one reason or the other. Hundreds of people who are wrongfully convicted end up spending many years behind bars for crimes they never committed. Exonerations based on DNA analysis have provided proof that wrongful convictions are real. Wrongful convictions result from systemic flaws in the criminal justice system some of which can be addressed. Wrongful convictions can be blamed on various factors, including.
Eyewitness Misidentification.

            This is the most significant contributor to wrongful convictions in the country. The human brain can fail to recollect the events as they happened. The eyewitness memory could also be riddled with errors, lapses and misjudgments especially if the event was traumatic. Inaccurate identification of suspects due to a poor recollection of events, memory lapses and misjudgment on the side of a witness is a real possibility. It is also important to note that eyewitnesses can be compromised by interested parties in the case to give a wrong account of how events unfolded. This happens in cases where defendants have been falsely accused for crimes.
False confessions

            In some cases, innocent people can provide incriminating statements against themselves or plead guilty for offences they never committed. This can be a cause for so many wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system. Suspects can provide false confessions because of coercion and torture from law enforcement officials. False confessions can also result from insanity.
Lack of goodwill from the government

            In a few cases, the government may play a role in ensuring that a suspect is convicted even when there is little or no evidence. The defense team can also play a part in ensuring that the wrong people are convicted of crimes they never committed. The defense can consist of lawyer or lawyers who lack the requisite experience and competence to handle some of the serious cases like murder, rape and robbery with violence. Lack of thorough preparation for trial can also weaken the defense leave the jury with no option other than to convict the defendant. Poor preparation involves issues like failure to gather enough evidence or call upon enough witnesses to provide their account of the events.
Inaccurate forensic testing techniques

            Methods used by law enforcement agencies to analyze forensic evidence are not always foolproof. The reliability of these methods has not been proven beyond reasonable doubt. Forensic analysts can sometimes testify in cases on the basis of flawed forensic testing techniques. This can have serious repercussions for innocent people who may end up serving several years or spending the rest of their lives behind bars. Forensic analysts can also get compromised to provide an account that suits, particular individuals.

            Being convicted wrongly convicted can be a nightmare experience for victims of such convictions and their families. Those who are lucky enough get exonerated after serving some time while the unlucky ones serve full sentences for crimes committed by other individuals. If wrongful convictions are to stop or at least reduce, there is an urgent need for sweeping reforms in the criminal justice system.

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