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Could 'actual innocence' save the broken US justice system?

bbc.co.uk

1–10 of 99 posts

Re: Could 'actual innocence' save the broken US justice system?

#6
post #2

... they trusted a polygraph more than the rest of the judicial process. That really doesn't say anything good about the 'normal' process, then.

Especially considering that a polygraph has about the same accuracy as a Tarot card reading.

Re: Could 'actual innocence' save the broken US justice system?

#7
post #2

... they trusted a polygraph more than the rest of the judicial process. That really doesn't say anything good about the 'normal' process, then.

"Piper says that though they know these kinds of tests can be unreliable, being confronted with the chance to take one can filter out disingenuous defendants. Regardless of the results of the test - which are inadmissible at trial due to issues with the reliability of the technology - the assistant state's attorney (ASA) in charge of the case would also perform a [...] review of all the evidence."

Re: Could 'actual innocence' save the broken US justice system?

#8
post #4

Is the US system really as kafkaesque as the article makes it sound? I.e. arbitrary decisions by individual officials can ruin peoples lives without a fair due process, and that the officials have a strong incentive not to be charitable?

Yes. In my experience often the people have no ulterior motive though. They just suck, a lot.

Re: Could 'actual innocence' save the broken US justice system?

#9
post #2

... they trusted a polygraph more than the rest of the judicial process. That really doesn't say anything good about the 'normal' process, then.

Especially considering that a polygraph has about the same accuracy as a Tarot card reading.

You and GP really need to read the article fully. Even without doing other research, you dismiss the concept based on a false premise that the article itself clarifies..

Re: Could 'actual innocence' save the broken US justice system?

#10
post #4

Is the US system really as kafkaesque as the article makes it sound? I.e. arbitrary decisions by individual officials can ruin peoples lives without a fair due process, and that the officials have a strong incentive not to be charitable?

> [...] After 414 days in the St Clair County jail, he went home.

and this is a success story. A man is free to walk after 414 days of jail because some enlightened new procedure that allows innocent people be set free before trial. Somehow reading all this I just cannot help but stare at the this number: 414. Before a trial [1].

Can this happen to anyone or do you have to enjoy a particular socio-economic situation to deserve this treatment?

[1] http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/murder-c...

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