07
Wrongful convictions
A final judgment does not always mean the truth was found
Wrongful convictions can grow from mistaken identification, false confessions, unreliable forensic claims, incentivized witnesses, official misconduct, or evidence the defense never received. Correcting them requires persistence, expertise, and a carefully preserved record.
What failure can look like
- New evidence that undermines identification or the prosecution theory
- Recanted, rewarded, or inconsistent witness testimony
- Unreliable forensic methods or undisclosed favorable evidence
Protect the record
Preserve trial and appellate records, discovery, laboratory materials, recordings, exhibits, witness statements, public-record responses, and proof of when new evidence was found. Consult qualified post-conviction counsel before public disclosure.