An innocent person found guilty and sentenced, how this affects them and their family?

Question

How an innocent person found guilty affects them and their family and what consequences does this have on the legal system?

Answer 1

I think it would have a bad affect on their family, and little or no effect on the legal system, other then bringing alot of appeals

Answer 2

Well, since I am that person.
It had the instant effect of turning me from a person who believed that the British judicial system was the best in the world, to thinking it could not be worse.
It changed most of the members of my family likewise.
It put me in jail where I found out that, in contrast to what one of your repondents says, most people admitted that they had been guilty.
It put me among people who KNOW that there are a lot of innocent people in jail
It showed me that there are an enormous number of SUCCESSFUL appeals against conviction/sentence (so something has to be wrong).
It taught me that, to get to the Court of Appeal is a hard fought fight, and not the simplistic "I was convicted but I'll appeal" process that the general public seem to think it is.
I found out that a lot of people have to prove that they are innocent, despite the fondly perceived notion that one is innocent until proven guilty.
I found out that it is entirely possible, in this country, to be found guilty upon the word of another person, with absolutely no corroborating evidence. ( In effect - "He/she did this/that then, no-one saw it, there was no report of a crime, there were no forensics of any sort, but I say it happened, therefore it did" ).
What consequences does it have on the legal system?
The police have a "clear up" statistic - even though no crime has happened.
There is, because it's inevitable, an enormous cost on the judicial system - police, solicitors, barristers, prosecutors, courts, prisons, probation, social services, post prison hostels, housing - the list goes on.
I'm recently out of prison.
I don't believe that it is likely that I will ever trust a policeman even to direct me around the corner, and will always distrust any motive they might have.
I look at every single case of crime that I see in the papers and doubt any guilt unless I can see absolutely overwhelming evidence. "Beyond a reasonable doubt" isn't quite enough for me.
My family and friends are not quite so jaundiced in their views, but all have been negativley affected against the judicial system (police, courts, prisons etc.)
The only consequence I see for the legal system is that there are (like the ripples on a pond after a stone has been thrown in) a large number of people who, like me, formerly had great faith in that system, who now doubt its integrity in any degree.
"But then they all say that don't they"
- well, actually, no "they" don't.

Answer 3

Corruption is not fun...It takes away from the legal system in justice served...I really think that the lawyer involved should go after everyone of the corrupt idiots because justice needs served. It is devestating for all involved in the defense side because closure never will happen...I have heard about so many cases in my area that it knocks my socks off and I just cannot comprehend that the lies hold credibility...you hear of kickbacks, payoffs, etc and the innocent is a victim...no nothing for them they are poor in many ways...support him the innocent

Answer 4

Hayley never stood a chance the speed he was driving. When you check before you cross the road in a residential area do you really expect traffic to be travelling over 90 mph? This police officer was reckless at best, but the fact that he states he was driving safely just makes the whole thing worse.

Answer 5

If a wrongfully convicted person refuses to admit guild they will end up serving longer than a guilty person who admits it, which must be soul destroying.
Some judges seem unable to admit they are wrong even in the face of clear evidence.

Answer 6

it erodes trust in the legal system

also, it makes innocent people think that if society has only that purpose for them , why should they give a damn about giving back to society.

I think innocent people who are later exonerated should get like 10K per month for time served.

Maybe some incentive money for lawyers to free people who are innocent too.

Answer 7

Alot of people have been sentenced to death while wrongly convicted never mind just sent to prison! It effects the family and the wrongly convicted enormously!

And the statement: theirs no smoke without fire is rubbish and is said by people who have never wrongly been accused because if they had they wouldn't say it!

Answer 8

Happens all the time. Families are devastated. The US just continues on pretending its legal system works.

Answer 9

Interesting question. You can ask in any prison---I understand that they are ALL innocent. I also think that a guilty sentence, even to a guilty person effects their family greatly.

Answer 10

They will feel terrible. And may be destroyed emotionally and financially.

Read Bob Woffenden's work on miscarriages of justice.