DNA testing often plays a major role in criminal cases. It can connect a person to a crime scene or rule them out entirely. While DNA analysis is highly advanced, mistakes can still happen. These errors may lead to incorrect conclusions if the testing process is not...
When a conviction rests on flawed forensic testimony, the stakes could not be higher. Forensic evidence often carries significant weight with juries, but if that evidence is wrong, the impact can be devastating. In some cases, proving that forensic testimony was...
The evidence locker at your local police department holds more than just old files and fingerprints. Police and forensic labs are retesting decades-old crime scene DNA samples using modern techniques, which can lead to new prosecutions. Chances are, your genetic...
When someone faces criminal charges, they deserve a fair trial. That includes the right to a defense without divided loyalties. If a defense representative has a conflict of interest, it can raise serious concerns about fairness. In some cases, this problem may serve...
There are many different types of evidence that police look for during a criminal investigation, and phones and electronic devices are an increasingly common source. Police may want to read text messages that two people sent to each other if they have been accused of...
A variety of different criminal charges can have immigration consequences. Many people understand that violent crimes and drug offenses could potentially lead to removal or deportation proceedings. Any offense indicative of a substance abuse disorder could...
The way that the criminal justice system is designed is to avoid false convictions. This is why the standard of proof in a criminal case is so high, requiring that guilt be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The idea here is that some guilty people may go free because...
We’re starting to see a lot more criminal cases prosecuted, at least in part, due to evidence based on defendants’ alleged fleeting contact with an item or person. Known as “touch-transfer DNA” (or “touch DNA”), forensic investigators claim that this evidence can...
People facing criminal charges are naturally anxious about the future. They worry about taking the case to trial and the attention that might attract. They may worry about the potential penalties that the courts could impose and the consequences of having a lifetime...
A criminal conviction does not always mark the end of the legal process. In some cases, individuals may have the opportunity to challenge their conviction or sentence even after appeals have been exhausted. This process is known as post-conviction relief and may...