wrongful conviction
Innocent person imprisoned
A wrongful conviction is a criminal conviction of someone who did not commit the crime.
The term covers cases where the actual perpetrator is later identified, where evidence proves innocence, and where procedural violations denied a fair trial.
DNA evidence has overturned hundreds of wrongful convictions.
The phrase implies systemic failure—police, prosecutors, courts, or juries got it wrong.
- perjuryCriminal courtroom dishonesty
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- DNA testingAnalyzing hereditary material
- kangaroo courtIllegitimate proceeding ignoring procedure
- tunnel visionInability to see periphery
police misconduct · abuse of power · prosecutorial misconduct · corruption · discrimination · justice system · psychological trauma · racial bias · death row · unfairness · legislative changes · prison reform · judicial oversight · coerced · incarceration · lost years · financial hardship · overturned
- criminal justicearrest, jail, court, prison, crime
- injusticeinjustice, inequality, discrimination, bias, prejudice
- crime newscrime scene, court reporter, court reporting, breaking news, arrest report
- imprisonmentprison, jail, prisoners, cells, captivity
- justice in filmscourtroom drama, judge, jury, lawyer, prosecutor
- justice themestrial, verdict, judge, jury, lawyer
wrongful convictionexoneration
Official clearing of blame
justice served · vindication · acquittal · miscarriage of justice · due process
wrongful convictionacquittal
Formal clearing of charges
not guilty verdict · dismissal · exoneration · case dismissed · charges dropped