Explore the key legal, social, and systemic issues that contribute to wrongful convictions in America. From false identification to failed expungement, this list outlines the areas in urgent need of reform.
Wrongful convictions are rarely the result of one single mistake. More often, they stem from a combination of systemic failures, legal misconduct, racial bias, and bureaucratic indifference. This section outlines the critical issues that must be addressed to prevent future injustices and to provide proper relief to those already harmed, like Leslie Vass, whose wrongful conviction and failed expungement left scars that lasted decades.
Each issue listed below will link to its own in-depth page, offering examples, explanations, and ideas for reform.
Core Issues Contributing to Wrongful Convictions:
- Eyewitness Misidentification
- Police & Prosecutorial Misconduct
- Coerced Confessions
- Inadequate Legal Defense
- Suppression of Exculpatory Evidence
- Bias in Policing & Sentencing (Racial and Class Bias)
- Broken Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief Process
- Failure to Enforce Expungement Orders
- Inaccurate or Delayed Background Checks
- Lack of Compensation or Reentry Support
- Data Sharing Failures Between State & Federal Agencies
- Retaliation Against Those Who Speak Out
- Lack of Public Oversight and Accountability
- Media Bias & Public Shaming Before Trial
- Overreliance on Plea Bargains Under Pressure
Why This ALL Matters
This list is not theoretical. Each of these issues has real-world consequences, as seen in the case of Leslie Vass and countless others. By organizing these problems clearly and openly, we can help:
- Educate the public
- Push for legislative reform
- Encourage oversight and transparency
- Empower other wrongfully convicted individuals to speak out and fight back
We invite you to click into each issue and learn more. Read real stories. Understand the laws. And join the fight to change the system.
