Unit 4

The issue of wrongful convictions is a problem that has haunted court systems throughout the United States. The news depicts individuals being saved from death row when new evidence arrives or when evidence that was provided is proved to be false. Judges have always been expected to decipher and correctly judge every case, specifically pertaining to criminal acts. The expectations derive from the nature of individuals' lives being in the hands of the judgment of the particular judge.

Please write your paper to answer the following questions. The answer or opinion must be supported by an academic source or real-life criminal justice finding.

• How common is it for an individual to be wrongfully convicted in the criminal justice system?
• Is the United States court system judged fairly in this manner by the public?
• What do you think is a reason why an innocent person is convicted of committing a crime that he or she did not commit? Are there rules or measures that can be put in place to prevent future wrongful convictions?
• Does the court system have adequate protections in place minimizing the risk that innocent people could be convicted and then punished even though they are innocent? What additional protections would you recommend?
• Are wrongful convictions an issue common only to the United States Judicial system, or are they common in the judicial systems of other countries? Look at 3 other countries to compare.

Your paper should include specific references and demonstrate knowledge of the criminal justice system, guiding theories, and administrative practices. You will be graded on the clarity of the analysis, recommendations, and the presentation.

Word count between 700-1400