Switch to ADA Accessible Website
Orlando Criminal Lawyer

In Florida, Not Only Are Wrongful Convictions Par for the Course, But Some Prosecutors Fight Obvious Exonerations

shutterstock_778362070 (1)

It’s no secret that no state in the U.S. likely has more wrongful convictions than Florida, where a number of defendants are convicted simply because they did not have the resources to build a proper defense and/or were cajoled into taking inaccurate plea bargains. Sadly, in Brevard County in particular, wrongful convictions are reportedly par for the course, and in Brevard, wrongful convictions aren’t simply limited to a lack of resources for criminal defendants, but can also involve dishonest detectives, fraudulent handlers, questionable jailhouse informants, lying witnesses, and withheld evidence.

In addition, there are also a number of concerns that the State Attorney’s Office is stubbornly resistant to recognizing when suspects should not be tried and making recompense for those wrongfully convicted, arguing against compensation for these individuals and actively fighting against the introduction of DNA evidence that can exonerate those wrongfully convicted. In fact, this has become such an issue in Florida that the wrongful conviction tragedies of Brevard County in particular have become the subject matter of the award-winning podcast Murder on the Space Coast.

Why And How Do Prosecutors Preserve Wrongful Convictions?

Still, this phenomenon of prosecutors denying that mistakes were made and active attempts to preserve wrongful convictions aren’t limited to Brevard County by any means. A number of prosecutors across the country have knee-jerk reactions that when convictions are challenged, where any kind of relief is opposed by prosecutors, no matter what the objective facts of the case indicate.

To uphold wrongful convictions, the state will often resort to any “procedural machination” that can throw a wrench into the process—arguing that appeals do not contain any new evidence, or have not been timely filed, etc. This has been the case a number of times, even in the instance of suspects who have already spent decades in prison for crimes they never committed and for which DNA proof is readily available. According to reports, some Florida prosecutors have even gone so far as to state that “innocence [is] irrelevant” in a case simply because a filing was not timely.

Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa May Open Up Appeals

There may be some hope: Some cities like Jacksonville are forming what are called “Conviction Integrity Units,” whose sole job is to examine and fix wrongful convictions. These units could open up a number of those wrongfully convicted to a chance at an appeal, and, reportedly, Orlando and Tampa are the next cities with plans to form these units.

Contact Our Florida Criminal Defense & Civil Rights Attorneys to Find Out More

There are simply too many wrongful convictions in Florida to risk working with a criminal defense attorney who may let things fall through the cracks. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime or the victim of wrongful conviction here in Florida, contact our experienced Orlando criminal defense attorneys at the Baez Law Firm today to find out about our experienced criminal defense services.

Resources:

itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-on-the-space-coast/id1135546231?mt=2

floridatoday.com/story/news/2019/02/08/brevard-county-bad-convictions-par-course/2790932002/

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Miami

Miami Office

1200 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1410
Miami, FL 33131
Office: 305-999-5100
Fax: 305-999-5111
Orlando

Orlando Office

250 N Orange Ave, Suite 750
Orlando, FL 32801
Office: 407-705-2626
Fax: 407-705-2625

Email Us

Fields Marked * Are required

DISCLAIMER: Completing and submitting this form or otherwise merely contacting The Baez Law Firm or any individual at the firm will not establish an attorney/client relationship. Our firm cannot represent you until we determine that there would be no conflict of interest and that we are otherwise able to accept representation of your case. Please do not send any information or documents until a formal attorney/client relationship has been established through an interview with an attorney and you have been given authorization in the form of an engagement letter with The Baez Law Firm. Any information or documents sent via this form or otherwise prior to your receipt of an engagement letter will not be treated as confidences, secrets, or protected information of any nature. Submitting information regarding your potential case will not bar The Baez Law Firm from representing or continuing to represent a person or entity whose interest are adverse to your in condition with your case.

protected by reCAPTCHA Privacy - Terms
Please review the highlighted fields. They are required.
DISCLAIMER: This website contains information about The Baez Law Firm that includes testimonial statements from persons who are familiar with the firm's services. The testimonials shown are not necessarily representative of every person's experience with us. Testimonials from every client are not provided. As no two situations or persons are identical, the facts and circumstances of your situation may differ from those for which testimonials are shown. This website also includes information about some of the past results that we have obtained for our clients. Not all results are provided, and the results shown are not necessarily representative of all results obtained by us. No two situation are exactly alike; every person's situation is unique and the outcome for each person depends on the individual facts.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
MileMark Media - Practice Growth Solutions

© 2015 - 2024 Baez Law Firm. All rights reserved.
This law firm website and legal marketing are managed by MileMark Media.

Contact Form Tab Contact Form Tab