If the criminal justice system fails to convict the guilty and clear the innocent, then it is not working in a just way to protect citizens. Unfortunately, wrongful convictions do occur and have a negative effect on the people whose lives are ruined by the miscarriage of justice. At our law office, we look into each case individually and fight for justice for our clients to clear their names. A wrongful conviction can have lasting impacts on a person’s career and life.
What are some of the causes of a wrongful conviction?
There are a number of reasons why a person can be wrongfully convicted of a crime. Exacerbating these matters is when an individual hires a civil rights attorney who has lacks experience or is not competent enough to handle these cases that have very serious consequences on a person’s life, so call The Law Office of Ali Najmi today to discuss your situation.
Eyewitness Error
While a conviction can be overturned by DNA testing, eyewitness testimony is extremely persuasive in the court of law and is still widely used. The problem is that eyewitness testimony is often extremely unreliable. Research over the past several decades in the field of psychology and neuroscience have proven that the human memory is not all like a tape recorder, but changes slightly every time a memory is recalled. This means that eyewitnesses may falsely remember or retell events unintentionally.
False confession
There are countless stories across the nation of defendants being forced to give testimonies and incriminating statements or to deliver confessions of crimes they did not commit. From robberies to rape, there have been numerous cases across the United States where victims who went to the police for help have been arrested for filing a false claim or falsely accusing someone of a crime, and they were charged with it themselves. Sometimes these confessions are prompted by the officer’s prejudices, such as when they refuse to believe a woman who has been sexually assaulted. These confessions are coerced out of detained victims.
Perjury
When a person has a reason to give false testimony and that reason is not obvious to the jury or to anyone else, then it can lead to devastating consequences. A false accusation can have a ruinous effect on a person’s life, educational opportunities, or employment opportunities. Reasons for false accusations include an ill will, an attempt to deflect attention from one’s own crime or to get a good deal from the police or prosecutors.
Why You Need A Wrongful Convictions Attorney
It is very important in these situations to hire a civil rights lawyer to help protect your rights and determine what is the best course of action to take. There are important next steps that need to be completed in a timely manner. A civil rights attorney knows laws apply to your situation and who is liable in your case. This is why it is vital for you to speak to an attorney who will evaluate your situation, explain to you what your different legal options are, and then provide the best course of action to get the best outcome for you. If you believe your civil rights have been violated, then give us a call today.