If you or someone you love has been wrongfully convicted of drinking and driving in Maryland, don’t give up hope. There are many ways you can fight the conviction. With the help of a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney, you may be able to get the ruling overturned and clear your name. Keep reading to learn how.

Causes of Wrongful Convictions

Inaccurate eyewitness identification is arguably the leading cause of wrongful convictions across the U.S. The human mind is not like a video recorder and people do not always remember events exactly as they happened. Memories are influenced by what people expect to see, what they’re told happened, and their own biases.

False confessions are another frequent cause of false convictions. Innocent people confess to crimes for many reasons: they may be trying to protect someone else, they may be suffering from mental illness or cognitive impairments, or they may be coerced by police through threats or promises.

Informants may also be used by prosecutors to secure convictions, but their testimony is often unreliable. Bad lawyering can lead to a false guilty verdict when attorneys fail to properly investigate their cases, interview witnesses, or challenge evidence presented by the prosecution.

Government misconduct may play a role when police or prosecutors break the rules to secure a conviction. This might include withholding evidence that could prove the defendant’s innocence, coercing witnesses, or fabricating evidence.

Presenting Compelling Evidence

If you’re going to file an appeal, you need to have compelling evidence that the trial was unfair, the jury was tainted, or there was some other problem with the procedural hearings that resulted in an unfairly rendered verdict. For example, if the prosecution’s witnesses were not credible, or if the police conducted an illegal search and seizure during your arrest, you may be able to get your conviction overturned on appeal.

How a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You Appeal

Fighting a wrongful conviction can be difficult, but remember that you have rights and there are many people who can help you. If you have been wrongfully convicted of a crime, you should contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Richard Brueckner has the skills and experience filing appeals for falsely convicted clients and can also help you. Call now for a consultation at 410-430-1464. Serving Ocean City and surrounding metropolitan areas in the state of Maryland.