Causes of Wrongful Convictions Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the pertinent details that must be tracked regarding informants?

Previous addresses

Benefits promised/provided in exchange for information (correct)

Complete medical history

Favorite food

What does the text recommend to strengthen related to informant testimony?

Offering incentives to informants

Ignoring informant testimony completely

Providing less information to the jury

Strengthening jury instructions (correct)

What action does the text suggest for police accountability?

Hiding disciplinary records from the public

Reducing public oversight of police actions

Making police disciplinary records available to the public (correct)

Giving police more authority

Which state established the first (and only) independent commission on prosecutorial conduct according to the text?

New York Signup and view all the answers

What should be banned according to one of the recommendations in the text?

Banning qualified immunity Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the over 3,300 exonerated individuals since 1989 pleaded guilty?

25% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the exonerated individuals since 1989 were people of color?

60% Signup and view all the answers

What is a contributing factor to eyewitness misidentification known as 'estimator variables' based on?

The eyewitness' experience Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method used by law enforcement that can lead to false confessions?

Transparency about evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason mentioned in the text for wrongful convictions related to eyewitness misidentification?

Cross-racial identification Signup and view all the answers

In what type of identification method can law enforcement record an eyewitness's memory according to the text?

Photo arrays Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key aspects that the Innocence Project focuses on regarding AI and surveillance technologies?

Advocating for more transparency and regulation Signup and view all the answers

In a specific New Jersey case, what did the Innocence Project achieve as an amicus?

Obtaining a court order for disclosure of facial recognition software data Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the collaborative efforts mentioned in the text between the Innocence Project and other entities?

Collaboration with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Signup and view all the answers

What does the Innocence Project aim to end as part of their involvement with a coalition of organizations?

The trial penalty Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an area of focus for the Innocence Project in relation to AI and surveillance technologies?

Using AI for private investigations Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the recommendations outlined in the report to reduce excessive plea bargaining?

Allow accused individuals to see evidence before considering a plea deal Signup and view all the answers

What practice has been enacted in New York in 2019 to improve the plea bargaining process?

Allowing accused individuals to access evidence before plea consideration Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of removing language from plea agreements that requires people to waive certain legal rights?

To protect the legal rights of accused individuals Signup and view all the answers

What does 'charge stacking' refer to in the context of plea bargaining?

The act of increasing charges to pressure the accused during a plea deal Signup and view all the answers

What does Death Penalty Focus represent according to the text?

Representation of death row inmates with claims of innocence Signup and view all the answers

Which states are mentioned as the most recent ones outlawing capital punishment according to the text?

Virginia, Colorado, and New Hampshire Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key recommendations mentioned for transforming the criminal legal system?

Providing judges with more flexibility to adjust extreme sentences Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Just Data conferences mentioned in the text?

Exploring how data and research can impact the criminal legal system Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall goal of the Innocence Project as highlighted in the text?

To prevent and correct wrongful convictions Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is NOT associated with the Innocence Project?

Screening films or books in popular culture Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the factors involved in transforming systems according to the text?

Enhancing judges' power to review and adjust harsh sentences Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Informants and Testimony

Informants' relationships and handler information must be tracked and disclosed to the defense.

Strengthening Informant Testimony

The text recommends strengthening informant testimony by requiring corroboration and increasing transparency.

Police Accountability

The text suggests that police accountability can be achieved through independent review boards.

Independent Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct

New York is the only state with an independent commission on prosecutorial conduct.

Banning Misconduct

The text recommends banning prosecutors who engage in misconduct from practicing law.

Plea Bargaining

15% of the over 3,300 exonerated individuals since 1989 pleaded guilty.
Plea bargaining can lead to wrongful convictions.

Demographics of Exonerated Individuals

70% of the exonerated individuals since 1989 were people of color.

Eyewitness Misidentification

Estimator variables, such as the presence of a weapon, can contribute to eyewitness misidentification.
A common reason for wrongful convictions is eyewitness misidentification due to cross-racial identification.

Recording Eyewitness Memory

Law enforcement can record an eyewitness's memory using sequential identification methods.

AI and Surveillance Technologies

The Innocence Project focuses on the potential risks of AI and surveillance technologies to perpetuate wrongful convictions.

Collaborative Efforts

The Innocence Project collaborates with other entities to address wrongful convictions.

Ending Wrongful Convictions

The Innocence Project aims to end wrongful convictions, including those caused by excessive plea bargaining.

Plea Bargaining Reform

One recommendation to reduce excessive plea bargaining is to remove language from plea agreements that waives certain legal rights.
"Charge stacking" refers to the practice of piling on multiple charges to coerce a guilty plea.

Death Penalty Focus

Death Penalty Focus represents individuals and organizations working to abolish capital punishment.
California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania are among the most recent states to outlaw capital punishment.

Transforming the Criminal Legal System

One key recommendation is to create a more transparent and accountable system.

Just Data Conferences

The Just Data conferences focus on the intersection of data, technology, and criminal justice reform.

Overall Goal of the Innocence Project

The Innocence Project aims to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals and reform the criminal legal system.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the causes of wrongful convictions, including coerced pleas and eyewitness misidentification. Learn about the impact of system variables such as law enforcement procedures on the criminal legal system.