Do systematic issues such as racial bias and socioeconomic status lead to wrongful convictions in the United States?

EPQ

Do systematic issues such as racial bias and socioeconomic status lead to wrongful convictions in the United States?

Emilia Magdici

START

What is a wrongful conviction?

A wrongful conviction is when an unfair outcome occurs in a criminal or civil case, such as the punishment of a person for a crime they did not commit.

RELEVANT DATA

Statistics

59%

of exonerated sexual assault cases involve Black defendants

Cases are often handled by public defenders per year, leading to poor defence strategies

Of wrongful convictions occur due to false confessions after flawed police interrogation

RELEVANT DATA

29%

300+

Eyewitness misidentification

Racial Bias

Poor Legal Representation

Language barriers

Main Factors For Wrongful Convictions

Factors

Angel Gonzalez

Crime: -> Sexual assault (wrongfully convicted in 1995)Issues: 1) Convicted due to a coerced confession 2) Language barrier—police didn’t provide a Spanish translator 3) Eyewitness misidentification 4) DNA evidence later proved he wasn’t the attacker Exonerated: -> 2015 (20 years later)

Rafael Ruiz

Crime: -> Sexual assault (wrongfully convicted in 1985) Issues: 1) Victim was pressured to identify Ruiz, despite a lack of evidence 2) No physical evidence linked him to the crime 3) Prosecutors withheld key evidence Exonerated: -> 2020 (35 years later)

The Secret Barrister: Stories of Law and How It Is Broken

Key Themes:-> Exposes flaws in the UK + US criminal justice system. -> Highlights underfunding and legal aid cuts causing wrongful convictions. -> Shows how socioeconomic status affects access to justice. Link to Wrongful Convictions: 1) Socioeconomic Status: Poor defendants lack proper legal representation. 2) Systemic Failures: Rushed trials and overworked lawyers lead to errors. 3) Racial Bias: Structural inefficiencies disproportionately impact minorities.

Do you think systematic issues such as racial bias and socioeconomic status lead to wrongful convictions in the United States?

TEXT + IMAG

Conclusion:

Any questions?