Careers in Psychology

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Grand Canyon University *

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102

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Arts Humanities

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Wrongful Convictions Daniel Nunez Flores College of Humanities and Social Services JUS-202: Professional Responsibility in Justice Professor Terry Vrabec February 4, 2024

2 Wrongful Convictions A wrongful conviction occurs when an individual is found guilty of a crime they did not commit, leading to the punishment of an innocent person. Numerous things, including incorrect eyewitness identifications, fraudulent confessions, insufficient legal counsel, faulty forensic evidence, and prosecutorial misconduct, can lead to this miscarriage of justice (Gould & Leo, 2010). The consequences of wrongful convictions are profound, extending beyond the immediate impact on the innocent individual and what it might cause for the look of the departments or even the whole law enforcement as a whole. Wrongful convictions can impact the individual’s life but also can impact law enforcement as well. Wrongful convictions have severely impacted The criminal justice system, which has undermined public confidence in its impartiality and dependability. When innocent people are falsely convicted, it not only results in their unfair imprisonment but also in the freedom of the real offenders to roam the streets and possibly pose a continuous threat to public safety. These miscarriages of justice also come with significant financial and psychological costs, as people suffer from jail, reputational damage, and severe personal challenges. The frequency of wrongful convictions calls attention to structural weaknesses in the criminal justice system and emphasizes the necessity of changes and safety measures to avoid such mistakes. Given the widespread consequences of these injustices, a thorough review of investigative and prosecution procedures is necessary to guarantee the defense of people's rights and the upkeep of a fair legal system. Making sure that further more incidents like these may be stopped and also found to be a solution so individuals are not convicted unjustly but also the image of law enforcement may not also be ruined by these situations.

3 Ethical Behavior Ethical behavior among various players within the justice system is crucial in preventing wrongful convictions. For example, law enforcement officials can prioritize impartial and comprehensive investigations over quick fixes to uphold ethical standards. Accurately obtaining and keeping evidence is necessary to prevent wrongful convictions due to reliance on inaccurate information (Leo, 2008). As prosecutors put justice above winning convictions, they are essential in maintaining moral behavior. Crucial ethical principles include keeping a promise to a fair trial, providing the defense with exculpatory evidence, and refraining from prosecuting wrongdoing (Schuller & Sanders, 2015). The ethical defense tactics used by defense lawyers, including as in- depth research, intense advocacy, and a dedication to obtaining the truth even when it runs counter to their client's interests, help to prevent wrongful convictions. Another essential element is judicial oversight, in which judges are required to maintain objectivity, expertise, and diligence in the application of the law (Leo, 2008). Each participant in the judicial system helps to prevent wrongful convictions and maintain a fair and just legal system by upholding these ethical norms. Various Codes The main objective of enforcing ethical behavior in law enforcement is to avoid and overturn wrongful convictions, and to this end, several regulations and processes have been formed. These policies and procedures are designed to safeguard people's rights, uphold the integrity of investigations, and address injustices. A lot of the time, law enforcement organizations create extensive codes of ethics that specify the values and behavior expectations for its personnel. Integrity, justice, and respect for human rights are highlighted in the Code of Ethics that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has created (IACP, 2017).

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4 Following these principles guarantees that law enforcement officials behave morally, reducing the possibility of wrongful convictions. Law enforcement organizations' internal affairs departments function as a channel for looking into officer complaints and dealing with possible moral transgressions. These divisions are essential in keeping an eye on and guaranteeing that police follow moral principles when conducting investigations and interacting with the public. Boards of civilian supervision offer law enforcement organizations an external means of accountability and transparency. These community-based boards oversee grievances, inquiries, and guidelines to guarantee the preservation of moral principles. Maintaining public confidence and holding law enforcement officials responsible for unethical behavior are two benefits of civilian oversight. Experts from outside the field make up independent review panels that evaluate the integrity of police investigations and their officers' moral behavior. These panels provide a dispassionate assessment of cases and an extra degree of examination to stop and correct wrongful convictions. Ongoing training programs that emphasize the values of impartial policing, cultural competency, and respect to legal and ethical norms can help to reinforce ethical behavior. Law enforcement personnel can better navigate challenging circumstances while upholding their dedication to justice and preventing wrongful convictions thanks to training. Law enforcement organizations can establish a culture of ethical behavior that not only helps to avoid wrongful convictions but also expeditiously detects and corrects any potential miscarriages of justice by integrating these standards and procedures.

5 References Leo, R. A. (2008). Police Interrogation and American Justice. Harvard University Press. Schuller, R. A., & Sanders, J. M. (2015). Prosecutorial Ethics: An Overview. Journal of the Institute of Justice & International Studies, 15, 189-2002. Gould, J. B. & Leo, R. A. (2010). One Hundred Years Later: Wrongful Convictions After a Century Research. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 100(3), 825-912. International Association of Chiefs of Police. 2017. Code of Ethics. https://ww.theiacp.org/

Careers in Psychology

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