Wrongful Conviction: Dookhan Case Study

Convictions

In this case, Dookhan cases appear to account for a mind-boggling 25 percent of all of the drug litigation that led to convicting in the seven constituency that uses the Hinton State Lab during Dookhan’s incumbency. Yet, Dookhan was let go on parole only because this was the first time prosecutors ad the list of all the defendants affected by the case. Annie Dookhan was convicted on drug charges from fabricating thousands of test results. For someone to face such a light sentence for ruining countless lives with falsification of many different evidences is seen as a disgrace. Falsification of evidence leads straight to convictions but there are many other ways one can become convicted in our criminal justice system(Lithwick,2016).

This only can happen when the defendant is proven guilty of the crime or crimes charged to the extent that no person could have reasonable suspension that the defendant is guilty. It is sad to say that there are many reasons for multiple cause of wrongful convictions. In some cases there are eyewitness mis-identification, junk science, false confessions, government misconduct, snitches, and bad lawyering as well. Eye witness mis-identification is one of the most cause of wrongful convictions world wide. Witnesses tend to remember the evidence like its a crime scene, instead of a play back from a

Sentencing for a crooked offenses can range from community service and probation, even leading up to the death penalty. There are things called the “three strikes” sentencing laws, state-specific guidelines, mandatory minimum sentences, etc... Sentencing in the court system takes place straight after the misdemeanors, convictions, or if the defendant pleads guilty (Find Law, 2016). If the criminal cases are more miscellaneous, such as involving serious felonies, the sentencing judge will require the defense, probation department, and the prosecutors input. The judge will consider multiple factors determining a criminals sentence. He will consider if the offender has any criminal history, if the offender was the main accessory (which is someone who assists the main person that commits the crime), if the offender appearance is displayed well (as if they show remorse or regret), if anyone was injured or the crime was particularly likely to result into injury , or if the offender was cruel to a victim, destructive, etc... Judges in most cases have a clear mindset when determining a proper sentence. All convictions don’t get a tip to prison, some have alternative sentences include fines, community service, probation, suspended sentences, and deferred adjudication. Not to mention, judges do have many