"12 Years Taken From Me": Help End Wrongful Convictions

When the innocent go to prison, the guilty go free. Hear Herman Atkins, a man exonerated by DNA evidence after serving 12 years in prison, tell his story of injustice and hope. Join him in the cause for freedom by taking action and urging the California legislature to help end wrongful convictions.

www.aclunc.org/justice

• Category

  News & Politics

[catrinachaos]

I don't understand what you're trying to imply, shmouts. Even if what you say is true (and the evidence points otherwise) do you believe that Atkins deserved to sit in jail for 12 years?

[vikingligrveldi]

Man that is so messed up. Makes you wonder how many other innocent people are lost in the system, and how many have been wrongfully murdered by the system.

[jesse james]

samething happened to me. please help. i have been set up for the taking of my children. 10yrs gone by, no justice

[Mz Milledge]

Im wondering if the Lady who Identified Him as the rapist offered Him an apology...

[Benjiman Williams]

why does it seems it is always the black man that go to jail for something he did not do??????? 12.16.2012..................

[Svanur Pálsson]

always the black guys!

[tech4156]

Correction. "Makes you wonder how many other innocent BLACK people are lost in the system, and how many have been wrongfully murdered by the system".

[baxitup22]

The justice system in the U.S. is immensely corrupted, the very fabric is not only torn to shreds, but the core and underbelly of those sworn to seek the truth and protect the the letter of the law do so unjustly . Judges, public defenders and state prosecutors transform the letter of the law to fit thier opinions to unfavor or favor cases even if justice is not served. The courts are currently denying me triial in my present case, they fear I may have a lawsuit for malicious conviction.

[Juan C]

I know u r.

[Beam261]

true.yet in some systems (Texas being one of the worst) these cases are several times more common than in orders. It's not like it's something completely out of reach. There is a lot that can be done to avoid wrong convictions(routine DNA testing, proper trials and accepting appeals, focusing on actual evidence, changes in legislation, identifying corruption behind the system, education, publicity...) and some states/countries succeed better than others.

[Beam261]

one of the biggest problems in Common Law system is the whole concept of plea bargaining in criminal cases. A very big percentile of those falsely convicted have been forced or manipulated into to pleading guilty to avoid a life/death sentence. Criminal convictions should be based solely on evidence, the concept of bargaining with your innocence is disgusting and corrupted.