The cornerstone of a functioning criminal justice system is a presumption of innocence. Yet, there continues to be a significant number of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. This particular problem casts a long shadow over the American criminal justice system. Wrongful convictions are a grave concern for a criminal justice system founded on the principles of fairness.
Every time an innocent person is wrongfully convicted, the justice system’s integrity is threatened, in addition to the undeniably far-reaching consequences for both the affected individual and society broadly. Unfortunately, one of the primary catalysts for these grave injustices is police misconduct. The fabrication of evidence and false confessions also endangers the general public by allowing the true perpetrators to remain free.
The role of police misconduct
When public servants who are entrusted with upholding the law become the perpetrators of injustice, the consequences are far-reaching. Unfortunately, police misconduct is not an isolated concern but rather a systemic problem because there are numerous instances when law enforcement officials:
- Plant false fingerprints
- Manipulate witness testimonies
- Falsify forensic evidence
- Obtain false confessions
- File false police reports
Police misconduct is a gross violation of constitutional rights and a blatant disregard for truth. False confessions are particularly concerning because law enforcement officers use insidious tactics to obtain them.
Many wrongfully convicted individuals end up behind bars due to a confession that was coerced through:
- Psychological manipulation and intimidation
- Deception and gaslighting
- Prolonged interrogation and deprivation
Law enforcement officers perpetrating injustice also erode public trust in the very institutions designed to protect people.
One of the highest-profile examples that highlights police misconduct is the the Marquette Park Four case of 1995. Five teenagers were coerced by law enforcement to confess to a double murder they didn’t commit. After a combined total of 73 years behind bars, they were exonerated in 2017, and the Chicago City Council approved a $50-million settlement for their wrongful imprisonment. While the financial compensation that these individuals were awarded was undeniably important in terms of securing justice for the wrongs they had suffered, there is no denying that this tragedy should have never happened in the first place. By pursuing justice, these victims and their loved ones have helped to inspire actions designed to better ensure that wrongful convictions happen far less frequently and that justice is served far more swiftly.
Individuals who believe they’ve been wrongfully convicted may wonder if there is still a chance for them to be proven innocent. Suppose they’re behind bars due to a false confession that law enforcement officers coerced them into making; seeking appropriate legal guidance can help get to the bottom of the matter.
