Wrongful convictions affect people’s lives, even after they are exonerated. There are several complex reasons for wrongful convictions, and policy reform is essential for addressing them.
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Articles on Wrongful conviction
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The inevitable consequence of a criminal justice system in crisis is people being wrongfully convicted. The media has a crucial role to play in monitoring the law.
‘No body, no parole’ laws may at first appear to be in the public interest. But there’s a lack of evidence they work and a risk they may disproportionately penalise the wrongfully convicted.
Unfortunately, wrongful convictions do happen, and they often share similar underlying causes.
Eyewitness testimony can hold a lot of weight with jurors. But eyewitnesses aren’t always right, and poor investigative practices can make matters worse.
An investigation by RMIT researchers shows that police failed to disclose 2,000 recordings of Keli Lane to defence attorneys. Failure to disclose evidence is a common issue in criminal cases.
Fifty-nine years ago, Steven Truscott, wrongfully convicted for the murder of a schoolmate, was sentenced to hang. He was only 14 years old. Why did it take so long for justice to catch up with him?
Analysing the words used to place blame or give evidence can change how we see a situation.
From cussing McDonald’s Minions to wrongful conviction, mishearing what is said can be funny but also very serious.
Innocent people do confess to terrible crimes they had nothing to do with. Psychologists are investigating factors that contribute to false confession – including how well-rested a suspect feels.
Top contributors
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Associate Dean, Criminology and Justice Studies, RMIT University
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Lecturer - Criminology and Justice Studies, RMIT University
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Associate Lecturer, RMIT University
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Professor of History, School of History, ANU, Australian National University
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Professor of Linguistics, Monash University
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Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Administration, California State University, Dominguez Hills
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Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
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Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology at the New School for Social Research, The New School
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Associate Professor of Psychology, Michigan State University
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Associate lecturer, University of Newcastle
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Lecturer in Discourse Analysis and Language in the Media, Swansea University
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Assistant Professor of Psychology, Arizona State University
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Associate Lecturer, Criminology & Justice, RMIT University
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Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Brighton
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Chancellor's Professor, Psychology, Carleton University
