How do you think it would feel to be accused of a crime that you did not commit? You would likely be outraged at the accusation. You could feel hopeless like there’s nothing you can do to change the course of the things that are happening to you. You are likely to be concerned about the consequences that could come upon your family. You would be afraid that you would be convicted despite your innocence. You could feel confused, or paralyzed for fear, or desperate to do something, anything, to fight for your freedom. Unfortunately, wrongful accusations do happen, and they sometimes even lead to wrongful convictions. Today, I’d like to discuss what you can do to prevent a wrongful conviction. I’ll also share some information about why it is vital that you not give up hope if you have already been wrongfully convicted.
If you are accused of a crime that you did not commit, do not let fear or confusion prevent you from taking action immediately. Seek the assistance of a Texas criminal defense attorney. Your attorney understands the criminal defense process and can develop a strategy tailored to the particulars of your case. Texas criminal defense attorneys are often able to prevent convictions in cases where the defendant is wrongfully accused of a crime. Unfortunately, despite the valiant efforts of defense attorneys in Texas and across America, wrongful convictions continue to be obtained by prosecutors across the nation.
Those who are wrongfully convicted must not ever give up the hope that their wrongful conviction will be overturned and they will be exonerated. Sometimes, wrongful convictions are overturned soon after they are obtained. However, it sometimes takes years of waiting, hoping, and persevering in the pursuit of justice before exoneration of a wrongfully convicted individual occurs.
Exonerations are on the rise across America. Texas has obtained the highest number of exonerations in America over the past thirty years. Texas’s top ranking is not strictly a matter of population, because the exoneration numbers do not correlate with state population numbers. California has the highest population in the nation, yet it ranks fourth on the list of states with the most exonerations. Illinois has the second-highest number of exonerations despite its much smaller population.
One of the driving forces in the increase in exonerations is the availability of DNA testing, and it’s coming into widespread use. There are also social factors behind the rise in exonerations. As the public has learned more about the problem of wrongful conviction and the devastating impact it has on the wrongfully convicted and their families; society is increasing its demands for justice. Advocacy for those who believe that they were erroneously convicted has increased in quality and has attracted the effort and attention of some of the nation’s top criminal defense attorneys. Communities are also demanding more accountability from prosecutors, insisting on high-quality evidence and witnesses. Consequently, there is more hope now than ever for those who have been wrongfully convicted.
If you are accused of a crime in Texas, you must take immediate action to protect your rights. The consequences of a conviction can have harsh, lasting effects on your life and the lives of those who are close to you. Align yourself with a Texas criminal defense attorney right away, and begin taking steps towards a resolution of your Texas criminal law matter. Learn more about criminal defense in Texas by calling Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra today, at (903) 753-7499.