In 2015, 149 individuals were exonerated for crimes they didn’t commit according to a report that was published by the National Registry of Exonerations. Unfortunately, there are plenty of other individuals who have been arrested for a crime they weren’t actually guilty of or were faced with charges much harsher than what they should have received for the crime they were convicted for. Sadly, there are various factors that contribute to why this occurs.
If you or a loved one was recently arrested and you live in East Lansing, Lansing, Charlotte, Grand Ledge, St. Johns, Okemos, or Dewitt, contact Lansing, MI criminal defense lawyer Stuart R. Shafer, P.C. to represent your case. Having a reputable and knowledgeable defense lawyer can help ensure your rights are protected and that you don’t become another one of the statistics mentioned above.
Why do wrongful convictions occur?
According to The University of Michigan Law School, there are a number of reasons why individuals are wrongfully charged for crimes they simply didn’t commit. We review some of these reasons below:
- Eyewitness Misidentification- After a crime has been committed, investigators will generally try and collect statements from eyewitnesses to determine what happened and of course, who did it. But, “research shows that the human mind is not like a tape recorder; we neither record events exactly as we see them, nor recall them like a tape that has been rewound.” The fact is, events and details get mixed up and might not be explained properly which results in someone being blamed who was free from guilt.
- Junk Science- The university pointed out that “Many forensic testing methods have been applied with little or no scientific validation and with inadequate assessments of their significance or reliability.”
- False Confessions– Many individuals either make incriminating statements, deliver confessions, or plead guilty as they sometimes think this is the easier way out when being interrogated. Unfortunately, this can lead to a criminal record that follows with them for years to come and can reduce the number of opportunities that are offered to them.
- Government Misconduct– Sadly, there are law enforcement officers and investigators out in the field who, despite not having solid evidence, work to get someone thrown in jail and convicted for a crime they never committed.
One of the main reasons why it is vital that you enlist the help the Law Offices of Stuart R. Shafer can provide is to ensure you aren’t being wrongfully convicted. In the event you were guilty of committing a crime, our skilled Lansing criminal justice attorneys will work diligently to get your charges reduced so that you aren’t faced with the maximum penalty.
You can contact our firm now by calling 517-487-6603 to get connected with a legal professional who is ready to help you with your criminal case.
