Introduction
List four factors that have played a role in wrongful capital convictions.
The term ‘Wrongful Capital Conviction’, means a conviction reached in a disputed or unfair trial. It also means a capital punishment of a person for s crime he did not commit.
The term, which I sometimes referred to as ‘miscarriage of justice’, is given by its opponents in their attempt to eliminate death penalties to avid the execution of innocent persons.
There are several causes or factors that played a role in wrongful conviction. But, the following factors are the major ones:
- Confirmation Bias.
- Confirmation Bias is a situation whereby the investigators of a criminal offence become bias in confirming the alleged criminal offence.
- False Confessions.
- False confessions could be referred to the accused confession due to Pressure, or torture from the Police, in their attempt to extract information.
- Fabrication of Evidence.
This is a process whereby evidences are fabricated against the accused, so as to favor the plaintiff. It is a serious infringement of a judicial process in which selfish interest overshadows the application of justice.
Withholding /Destruction of Evidence
This is a serious factor that played a tremendous role in wrongful convictions. It is applied by the police or prosecutor, to deny a fair hearing on the accused person.
Death Row Exoneration. Discuss the issue of ‘Death Row Exoneration’. What does research indicate about the processing of these cases? What impact with streamlined appeals have for innocent death row inmates?
Death Row refers to a section in prison that keeps persons awaiting execution. Those who are found guilty of an offense and have been sentence to death, are kept or remain on death row, especially, if they appeal on the earlier judgment.
Exoneration on the other hand, means relieve of responsibility, obligation, hardship or clearing one from accusation or blame. Therefore, ‘Death Row Exoneration is referring to the clearing of individuals who await execution, in order to have a new lease of life.
Research indicates that, processing of these cases often meet with difficulties, because of the strictness of procedure. First of all, the appeals by the persons on death row used to take sometime before judgment is passed. For example, by July, 2005, there were 3,366, prisoners a waiting execution in the United States, out of which seven were officially on death row.
But, it is obvious that, the streamlined appeals have positive impact on innocent death row inmates. For instance, there is a serious debate over the ‘death row phenomenon’, that the inmates should be on recourse, so that a light of hope be sparkled on them.
While in some countries, (the Caribbean), the death sentences are being reprieved or their appeals are upheld, especially, if they spent several years under sentence. And with time, a considerable success would prevail.
Crime Myths
Considering the current social landscape in America, what crime myths are in the making that you expect to emerge in the next few years? Can anything be done to prevent these social problems from becoming myths?
Considering the current social landscape in America, the crime myths that are in the making could be categorized in to two. These are: the violent crime category, which includes, Robbery, murder, forcible rape, and aggravated assault, and property crime category, which consist of larceny-theft, motor vehicle- theft, and burglary. While arson were tract separately.
According to FBI preliminary crime statistics for January-June, 2006, released in December, same year, data indicate that violent crime has increased up to 3.7 percent when compared to similar report in 2005.
Another crime in the making which is said to more sophisticated, and using modern technology, is; Cyber bullying. This is a systematic crime where teenagers use Internet, Cell phone, or other technology to send text and images intended to hurt or embarrass a person. Others are telemarketing fraud and Internet theft. These are the major crimes in the making in America.
What can be done to prevent these social problems from becoming myths as mentioned by the FBI and the National Crime Prevention Council, include; re-equipping the law enforcement agencies and the launching of massive campaigns across the United States, to persuade people to shun violent and property crimes. The campaigns should also focus on taking a bite into Cybercafés to ensure Internet safety.
References
The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice/4thedition / Victoria E. Kappeler /Gary W. Potter.