everyone has somw great answers for my question about my friend found guilty of a crime he didnt commmit?

Question

i have been reading the news paper articles and his lawyer says he wil appeal he is only court appointed though do u think he will do good or should we look for someone else. and he did take a lie detector test. there has also been evidence that he didnt commit the crime but that wasn't brought before the jury so i am clueless as to what to do, but it truely makes me sad to think about anyone who is spending their life locked up for a crime they didn't commit. if i had any dought that he did this i wouldn't stand behind him but i truley feel that he didn't and didn't get a fair chance. and what exactly does it mean when there is jury misconduct?

Answer 1

you are in denial. of course he did it. post the details of his crime. if you refuse to do so it proves my point.and by the way, unless he is on death row the innocence project won't return your phone call.

Answer 2

One of the best attorneys I know handles a lot of court-appointed cases. She's been practicing for over 20 years. So, just because someone is court-appointed doesn't mean they aren't qualified.

It's not necessarily a matter of jury misconduct. The jury convicted based on the evidence that we presented, and what they believed. Now, if some evidence was suppressed that should have been allowed in, that's potentially grounds for appeal.

But realistically, only 10% or less of cases that are appealed get reversed. So, the odds are not good unless the error was blatant.

Answer 3

Contact the Innocence Project. http://www.innocenceproject.org
If they can't help directly, maybe they can refer a good lawyer.

There are other legal defense groups you can ask for advice, especially if your friend is a minority or has some other special condition. Get at least one or more additional legal opinions, from an independent criminal lawyer, a law school or clinic, or any retired judge still working as a mediator or legal consultant.

Also, make sure your friend has adequate support of a family pastor or counselor or prison ministry. Sometimes these issues arise as a test of faith, and prayer and therapy can help overcome obstacles that are the point of this challenge in life.