Although many prosecutors go to great lengths to cover up evidence that suggests a wrongful conviction has been obtained, some make an effort to do the right thing. As seen in a recent case involving state’s attorney Richard Schmack.
One of the most infuriating aspects of the criminal justice system is that there is virtually no punishment for prosecutors who send innocent people to prison. Government lawyers are almost never held personally accountable for destroying the lives of innocent defendants and their families.
Owning up to past mistakes is crucial for the growth of any democratic nation. Acknowledging that we screwed up, and understanding exactly what went wrong, allows us to take steps to prevent similar screw-ups in the future. This applies to wrongful convictions.
If God forbid, one of your loved ones was killed by another human being, would you want the true killer to be brought to justice? Or would you settle for someone who the government says is the perpetrator but is actually innocent?
