For some New Jersey residents, the idea of being accused of a crime may seem impossible to them. They always follow the law and do their best to stay out of questionable situations. However, even someone on the straight and narrow could end up accused of a crime due to certain evidence. Unfortunately, a wrongful conviction could even take place for various reasons.
In a perfect world, no one would be wrongfully convicted, but it is something that happens far more often than it should. In the majority of cases involving an innocent person facing a conviction, the outcome is based on an eyewitness mistakenly identifying the person as a suspect. Many cases utilize eyewitness testimony because it can be compelling in court, but everyone makes mistakes, and memory is hardly reliable evidence.
Of course, while eyewitnesses contribute to a substantial number of these convictions, other issues do as well, including:
- Someone willfully lying in court
- False confessions
- Misconduct on the part of law enforcement or prosecutors
- Mistakes in the case
A wrongful conviction, especially for a serious crime, can result in an innocent person spending years of his or her life behind bars. Because no New Jersey resident wants to face such a harrowing ordeal, it is important that anyone accused of a crime has the right information regarding legal rights and defense options. Even if individuals know that they are innocent, they may still need to present a compelling case in court if they hope for a judge and jury to agree.
