Wrongful Convictions Research Paper
Are Current Eyewitness Identification Procedures Leading to Wrongful Convictions?
Research Proposal
The United States criminal justice system prides itself on being fair and just. Even if it is one of the best systems in existence, it is not flawless. Wrongful convictions continue to occur despite existing safeguards aimed at limiting wrongful convictions. According to the Global Registry of Claims of Innocence, approximately 15% of inmates claim to be innocent nationwide (2014). Based on exoneration rates, of the 15% claiming innocence between one and five percent of inmates are truly innocent (Global Registry of Claims of Innocence, 2014). Several factors prevent wrongfully convicted individuals from proving his or …show more content…
Results from the researchers questionnaire sent to exonerated individuals, Innocence Project attorneys, and incarcerated inmates claiming innocence will be analyzed thoroughly based off the information of the individual’s charges, sentence served, reasons they were wrongfully convicted, key evidence that reversed the initial charges, and reasons that made it difficult for inmates to have access to post-conviction procedures. Feedback from the Innocence Project attorneys and incarcerated but claiming innocent inmates will also be analyzed. These results will be compared and put together for an explanation regarding the reasons that lead to wrongful convictions. Results leading to inaccurate eyewitness identification as the top reason that leads toward wrongful conviction and poor development of eyewitness identification procedures would confirm the hypothesis. However, if results showed otherwise, with inaccurate eyewitness identification as not the most common element and statistics show eyewitness identification procedures are frequently developed and improved, this type of result will disconfirm the researchers …show more content…
The likelihood behind eyewitnesses coming forward to testify (Circle one) Very A Little Moderately Most Extremely Unlikely Unlikely Likely Likely Likely 1 2 3 4 5
How fearful are witnesses when they are asked to testify during a serious offense? (Circle one)
Extremely Mostly Somewhat Slightly Not at All Afraid Afraid Afraid Afraid Afraid 1 2 3 4 5
How often does you program receive threats/ bribes by outside entities to not pursue an exoneration case? (Circle one) Every About About Once or Twice Never Don’t Know Day Weekly Monthly year 1 2 3 4 5 6
How often individuals/clients have have been exonerated in your state due to your services? (Circle one) Extremely Mostly Somewhat Slightly Not at All Often often often often 1 2 3 4 5
(Circle the closest answer)
a. How likely do cases you take on involve police corruption?
Very A Little Moderately Most Never Unlikely Unlikely Likely Likely 1 2 3 4 5
b. How many times does your company render it services? Every About About Once or Twice Day Weekly Monthly yearly Never Don’t Know 1 2 3 4 5 6
Please answer the following with actual statistical data and/or sentence
Research Proposal
The United States criminal justice system prides itself on being fair and just. Even if it is one of the best systems in existence, it is not flawless. Wrongful convictions continue to occur despite existing safeguards aimed at limiting wrongful convictions. According to the Global Registry of Claims of Innocence, approximately 15% of inmates claim to be innocent nationwide (2014). Based on exoneration rates, of the 15% claiming innocence between one and five percent of inmates are truly innocent (Global Registry of Claims of Innocence, 2014). Several factors prevent wrongfully convicted individuals from proving his or …show more content…
Results from the researchers questionnaire sent to exonerated individuals, Innocence Project attorneys, and incarcerated inmates claiming innocence will be analyzed thoroughly based off the information of the individual’s charges, sentence served, reasons they were wrongfully convicted, key evidence that reversed the initial charges, and reasons that made it difficult for inmates to have access to post-conviction procedures. Feedback from the Innocence Project attorneys and incarcerated but claiming innocent inmates will also be analyzed. These results will be compared and put together for an explanation regarding the reasons that lead to wrongful convictions. Results leading to inaccurate eyewitness identification as the top reason that leads toward wrongful conviction and poor development of eyewitness identification procedures would confirm the hypothesis. However, if results showed otherwise, with inaccurate eyewitness identification as not the most common element and statistics show eyewitness identification procedures are frequently developed and improved, this type of result will disconfirm the researchers …show more content…
The likelihood behind eyewitnesses coming forward to testify (Circle one) Very A Little Moderately Most Extremely Unlikely Unlikely Likely Likely Likely 1 2 3 4 5
How fearful are witnesses when they are asked to testify during a serious offense? (Circle one)
Extremely Mostly Somewhat Slightly Not at All Afraid Afraid Afraid Afraid Afraid 1 2 3 4 5
How often does you program receive threats/ bribes by outside entities to not pursue an exoneration case? (Circle one) Every About About Once or Twice Never Don’t Know Day Weekly Monthly year 1 2 3 4 5 6
How often individuals/clients have have been exonerated in your state due to your services? (Circle one) Extremely Mostly Somewhat Slightly Not at All Often often often often 1 2 3 4 5
(Circle the closest answer)
a. How likely do cases you take on involve police corruption?
Very A Little Moderately Most Never Unlikely Unlikely Likely Likely 1 2 3 4 5
b. How many times does your company render it services? Every About About Once or Twice Day Weekly Monthly yearly Never Don’t Know 1 2 3 4 5 6
Please answer the following with actual statistical data and/or sentence