Frameups

Frameups, or frame-ups, refer to deliberate attempts to portray someone as guilty of a crime by creating or manipulating evidence, planting items, or coercing or coaching witnesses to produce incriminating testimony. The essential elements are intentional deception and a false portrayal of facts that leads others to believe the person is responsible.

Frame-ups can arise through a variety of mechanisms. Planted physical evidence, falsified or selectively edited surveillance footage, and false statements from coerced or incentivized witnesses are common techniques. They may be aided by biased investigations, improper chain of custody, or the suppression of exculpatory information. A frame-up depends not only on what is done, but on how it is perceived by investigators, prosecutors, and the public.

Consequences can be severe, including wrongful arrests and convictions, damaged reputations, and lasting harm to individuals and families. Legal remedies emphasize exoneration, appeals, and civil liability, while reforms focus on evidence integrity, independent investigations, transparent procedures, and stronger protections against coercive interrogation and prosecutorial overreach.

Notable usage of the term spans legal, political, and popular culture contexts. In real cases, wrongful convictions that were later overturned or reassessed—such as those involving high-profile prosecutions—are frequently cited in discussions of frame-ups to illustrate the dangers of biased or manipulated justice. In media, frame-ups are a common trope that underscores themes of manipulation, power, and accountability.