wrongfulconviction

Wrongful conviction refers to a criminal conviction that is later shown to be inconsistent with the defendant’s actual innocence. It can involve any offense and may occur in any jurisdiction. Exoneration is the formal clearing of guilt, typically after new evidence, such as post-conviction DNA testing, or an official legal review demonstrating innocence.

The causes of wrongful conviction are varied. Common factors include eyewitness misidentification, false confessions obtained under duress or through coercive interrogation, faulty forensic testimony or laboratory error, false or coerced informants, and ineffective or overworked legal defense. Systemic issues such as tunnel vision, prosecutorial misconduct, and inadequate access to independent review can also contribute.

The consequences are severe. The innocent person may lose years or decades of liberty, suffer social stigma, and experience harm to family, employment, and health. Wrongful convictions also impose human and financial costs on families and taxpayers, and they can erode public trust in the justice system.

Redress typically involves post-conviction review, appeals, or petitions for writs of habeas corpus, and, where available, post-conviction DNA testing and reexamination of the evidence. Innocence projects and similar organizations have helped identify new evidence; some jurisdictions have adopted reforms to improve procedure, such as better lineups, recording interrogations, preserving evidence, and ensuring access to independent forensic analysis. Criminal justice reform efforts continue to address causes and remedies to reduce wrongful convictions.