What is a wrongful conviction?

What is a wrongful conviction to the crime victim?  What is a wrongful conviction to the wrongfully convicted?  What is a wrongful conviction to an exoneree?  What is a wrongful conviction to the State?  What is a wrongful conviction to a community, to a family, to a wife or mother, brother or husband?

What is a wrongful conviction to you?

A wrongful conviction is a ____________________. (Fill in the blank)

A short list of possible answers follow, but there are many, many more.

Mistake.  

Error.  

Tragedy.  

Travesty.  

Miscarriage of justice.  

Pure Evil.  

Failure.  

Life sentence.  

Destroyed life.  

Shameful reality.  

Lost chance.  

Deprivation.  

Nightmare.

Pseudo Justice.

Death sentence.

These might be some ways of describing a wrongful conviction, but I’m sure your ideas and thoughts are much more accurate and insightful.  Share in the comments what a wrongful conviction is to you.

*      *       *

I’ll be following up on this topic in the coming weeks, using your input to help guide the discussion.

Be sure to also follow us on Instagram: @Wrongful_Convictions