Wrongful convictions, fully answer 5 questions
Answer each question FULLY and COMPLATELY! half answers will not be graded favorably.
.
1. John Williams is innocent. He has just been convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault by a jury. Two days after his conviction his trial attorney arrives at the GSU Innocence Project seeking advice on how to proceed. Advise him of the following:
a. What is the first action you would advise him to take?
b. Suppose option (a) above does not work, what would you advise he do next?
c. The jury in his case appears to have been illegally influenced, what would you suggest?
2. Notwithstanding all that you attempted in #1 (above) John Williams’ conviction stands. Your next option is to Appeal the conviction. Outline the steps of Appeal; describe the issues you will be looking to address which may lead to a reversal of the verdict. Finally, explain what you will ask the appellate court to do and the options the appellate court has.
3. April Alpinoit is scheduled to be released from prison due to the efforts of the GSU Innocence Project. She has served 15 years for the murder of her 3 year old daughter. The Innocence project proved that the murder was committed by the step-father. If you have the book you should Use the information from Chapter 6 of the book, (If you do not have the book refer to the Innocence Project website)Explain the challenges Ms. Alpinoit will face:
a. Describe the challenges she will face?
b. What are the services offered in Illinois?
c. Are there additional services available?
d. Are there services you would like to see offered?
e. Are there other steps you would pursue?
4. Max William Foster III is the chief litigation attorney for the GSU innocence project, he has just handed you a file in which the convicted wants to pursue obtaining a new trial based on the discovery of new evidence. Your assignment is to explain what the requirements are to obtain a new trial based on newly discovered evidence.
5. The Innocence movement is relatively new to the criminal justice system. Provide your overall assessments of the problems which create innocent convictions and then provide what you believe are the remedies to the problems you have identified. Finally, if we were to create new legislation, what should this legislation include?
Answer preview
- What is the first action you would advise him to take?
I would advise the trial attorney to take him to a DNA testing center. This is because it would clear his name by increasing the likelihood of identifying the real offender. DNA evidence is weighty in sexual offense cases…
(1200 words)