Quiz 1: Wrongful Convictions and Public Policy PDF

Quiz 1: Wrongful Convictions and Public Policy Multiple Choice Questions: 1. Which of the following is NOT a traditional factor associated with wrongful convictions according to prior research? A) Mistaken Eyewitness Identification B) False Confessions C) Jury Bias...

Quiz 1: Wrongful Convictions and Public Policy Multiple Choice Questions: 1. Which of the following is NOT a traditional factor associated with wrongful convictions according to prior research? A) Mistaken Eyewitness Identification B) False Confessions C) Jury Bias D) Inadequate Defense Representation Answer: C) Jury Bias 2. What is the significance of recording police interrogations according to Huff (2002)? A) To protect police officers from false accusations B) To ensure transparency and create an objective record C) To intimidate suspects into confessing D) To provide a training tool for law enforcement Answer: B) To ensure transparency and create an objective record 3. International Wrongful Conviction Day is observed on which date? A) October 2nd B) December 10th C) March 15th D) June 25th Answer: A) October 2nd 4. What percentage of felony convictions is conservatively estimated to be wrongful convictions each year?  A) 5% B) 1% C) 0.5% D) 10% Answer: C) 0.5% 5. What is a primary goal of Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs)? A) To increase the rate of convictions B) To ensure the conviction of only those who are guilty and exonerate the innocent C) To provide legal representation to defendants D) To implement new forensic techniques Answer: B) To ensure the conviction of only those who are guilty and exonerate the innocent 6. Which of the following factors was found to increase the likelihood of a wrongful conviction according to Gould et al. (2013)? A) A strong prosecution case B) The defendant offering a family witness C) The presence of forensic evidence D) The use of DNA testing Answer: B) The defendant offering a family witness 7. According to Godsey, what influenced his decision to become an innocence lawyer? A) His background as a prosecutor B) A wrongful conviction in his family C) The challenge of working on high-profile cases  D) Witnessing an exoneration case early in his career Answer: D) Witnessing an exoneration case early in his career 8. Cognitive dissonance can be best described as: A) A mental conflict arising from holding contradictory beliefs or attitudes B) A psychological condition characterized by memory loss C) The tendency to conform to group opinions D) An inability to process complex information Answer: A) A mental conflict arising from holding contradictory beliefs or attitudes 9. Which of the following is NOT one of Huff’s (2002) public policy recommendations? A) Abolishing the death penalty B) Establishing Innocence Commissions C) Increasing funding for the police department D) Compensating wrongfully convicted individuals Answer: C) Increasing funding for the police department 10. What is the definition of an exoneration according to the Innocence Project? A) A person being released on parole after serving time B) A person’s conviction being vacated and all charges dismissed based on new evidence of innocence C) A person receiving a reduced sentence D) A retrial resulting in a guilty verdict Answer: B) A person’s conviction being vacated and all charges dismissed based on new evidence of innocence True/False Questions: 11. True or False: Having a criminal history decreases the likelihood of a wrongful conviction. Answer: False 12. True or False: Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person’s actions are in alignment with their beliefs. Answer: False 13. True or False: According to Gould et al. (2013), a younger defendant is less likely to be wrongfully convicted. Answer: False 14. True or False: Eyewitness identification error is the most common factor associated with wrongful convictions. Answer: True 15. True or False: Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) primarily focus on the prosecution of repeat offenders. Answer: False 16. True or False: The Innocence Project has helped exonerate over 200 individuals using DNA evidence. Answer: True Short Answer Questions: 17. Explain the concept of “administrative evil” and provide an example relevant to wrongful convictions.  ◦ Administrative evil refers to the phenomenon where individuals or institutions engage in harmful actions while believing they are fulfilling their professional duties or adhering to established rules and norms. It often occurs in bureaucratic systems where harmful acts are disguised as necessary or routine administrative procedures, and the individuals involved do not perceive their actions as morally wrong due to their alignment with organizational goals or directives. Example Relevant to Wrongful Convictions: An example of administrative evil in the context of wrongful convictions is the behavior of some prosecutors or law enforcement officials who, under intense pressure to secure convictions, may withhold exculpatory evidence, use unreliable witnesses, or engage in unethical interrogation tactics. They justify these actions as part of their duty to maintain public safety and uphold the law, even though these practices contribute to the conviction of innocent individuals. In such cases, the bureaucratic pursuit of "justice" results in significant harm, but the individuals involved may not see their actions as evil because they are viewed as routine or necessary within the system. 18. Discuss how cognitive dissonance might impact the decision-making process of a juror in a wrongful conviction case. ◦ Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. In the context of a juror in a wrongful conviction case, cognitive dissonance can significantly impact their decision-making process. For instance, a juror may enter the trial with a strong belief in the integrity and infallibility of the criminal justice system. However, when presented with evidence suggesting that an innocent person is on trial, this belief conflicts with the emerging perception that errors and misconduct may have occurred. To reduce this discomfort, the juror might unconsciously ignore or downplay exculpatory evidence or inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case to align with their initial belief that the justice system is fair and accurate. This dissonance can lead jurors to rationalize their verdicts in a way that supports their preconceived notions, even when the evidence points to the defendant's innocence. As a result, cognitive dissonance can contribute to a wrongful conviction because the juror prioritizes maintaining their belief in the system over objectively evaluating the facts presented. 19. What are some of the psychological effects on individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and later exonerated? ◦ Individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and later exonerated often experience severe and long-lasting psychological effects, including: ◦ 1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Many exonerees suffer from PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, and a heightened sense of fear or mistrust. The trauma of being wrongfully imprisoned and the uncertainty of their fate contribute to these symptoms. ◦ 2. Depression and Anxiety: Exonerees frequently struggle with depression and anxiety, often resulting from the loss of years of their life, damage to personal relationships, and difficulties readjusting to society. They may also experience feelings of hopelessness and despair. ◦ 3. Loss of Identity and Self-Esteem: Spending years, sometimes decades, labeled as a criminal can erode an individual's sense of self-worth and identity. Many exonerees report feeling disconnected from their former selves and struggle to rebuild their lives.  ◦ 4. Social Isolation and Alienation: After release, exonerees often find it challenging to reconnect with family, friends, and society. They may feel alienated due to their prolonged absence and the stigma associated with being previously incarcerated. ◦ 5. Difficulty Adjusting to Society: Exonerees frequently struggle with reintegration into society. They may have missed significant technological, social, and cultural changes, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming and unfamiliar. ◦ 6. Mistrust and Paranoia: The betrayal by the justice system can lead to profound mistrust in authority figures, the legal system, and even people around them. Exonerees may live in constant fear of being wrongfully accused or arrested again. ◦ 7. Survivor's Guilt: Some exonerees feel guilt for being released while others remain imprisoned or for the pain their wrongful conviction caused to their families. This can lead to further emotional and psychological distress. ◦ Overall, the psychological impact of wrongful conviction can be profound and enduring, requiring long-term mental health support to help exonerees heal and rebuild their lives. 20. Describe the significance of the moratorium on the death penalty imposed by the governor of Illinois as discussed by Huff (2002). ◦ The moratorium on the death penalty imposed by the governor of Illinois in 2000 was significant for several reasons: ◦ 1. Recognition of Systemic Errors: The moratorium was a response to a troubling pattern where more death row inmates were being exonerated than executed. This raised serious concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the criminal justice system, particularly in capital cases. The governor acknowledged the possibility that innocent people might be executed due to these errors, which highlighted the inherent risks of irreversible punishment. ◦ 2. Catalyst for Reform: The moratorium sparked debates and prompted legislative and policy reforms not only in Illinois but also in other states and at the national level. It brought attention to the need for systemic changes to prevent wrongful convictions, particularly in cases involving the death penalty. ◦ 3. Public Awareness and Advocacy: By publicly declaring a moratorium, the governor brought widespread media attention to the issue of wrongful convictions and the fallibility of the justice system. This increased public awareness and support for the abolition of the death penalty and other criminal justice reforms. ◦ 4. Shift in Policy Perspective: The decision emphasized a shift in the policy perspective, where ensuring justice and preventing the execution of innocent individuals became a priority over retributive justice. It questioned the morality and efficacy of the death penalty as a form of punishment in a system prone to error. ◦ 5. Impact on Death Penalty Practices: The moratorium led to a broader examination of the death penalty in the United States. It prompted other states to re-evaluate their own practices and, in some cases, implement similar moratoriums or reforms aimed at preventing wrongful executions. ◦ Overall, the moratorium was a pivotal moment in the fight against wrongful convictions and the movement toward criminal justice reform, highlighting the need for a more cautious and just approach to capital punishment.