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New Report: Police Misconduct Responsible for 54% of Wrongful Convictions

Police misconduct, such as hiding or falsifying evidence, witness tampering, and violent interrogation, is responsible for the majority of wrongful convictions.

Wrongful Convictions Linked to Police Misconduct

The National Registry of Exonerations focuses on police misconduct and wrongful convictions in the United States. Founded in 2012, the Registry provides detailed information about every known exoneration since 1989 and maintains a database of cases where a person is wrongfully convicted of a crime and later cleared of all charges based on new evidence of innocence.

According to the Registry, information collected in exoneration cases shows that most wrongful convictions are caused by misconduct by police officers and by prosecutors. Police actions including falsifying evidence, witness tampering, and violent interrogations are found in a large percentage of wrongful convictions. Registry studies show the following information:

  • Official misconduct contributes to wrongful conviction in 54% of exonerations
  • Misconduct by police officers accounts for 35% of wrongful convictions
  • Misconduct by prosecutors accounts for 30% of wrongful convictions
  • The overall rate of misconduct varies by crime, from 72% in murder cases to 32% for most non-violent crimes
  • Police misconduct is approximately four times higher in drug-related crimes
  • Prosecutorial misconduct is approximately four times higher in white-collar crimes

Misconduct is more common in violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, and sexual assault commonly handled by criminal attorneys. Violent felonies account for approximately 80% of exonerations, while drug-related crimes make up approximately 60% of non-violent crimes.

In recent months, police misconduct has been linked to a number of cases focused on racial profiling, beginning with the May 25th death of George Floyd. The actions of the Minneapolis Police Department gained national attention and ignited a surge in national protests against racial profiling and police brutality tactics used by law enforcement agencies. George Floyd’s death and other recent deaths caused by police misconduct prompted the Black Lives Matter movement and placed a national spotlight on police reform.

According to the Registry, there have been 2,400 convictions of defendants who were later found innocent over a 30-year period. Studies show that hiding evidence that’s favorable to a defendant is a common type of police misconduct in many criminal cases. For that reason, a criminal attorney who provides criminal defense is an important asset for a person arrested and charged with a crime in Minnesota. Without proper defense, the chances of a wrongful conviction are much greater.

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Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Person using smartphone with blurred police lights background. charged with a drug crime based on text messages

Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime Based on Text Messages Alone?

You can be charged with a drug crime based on text messages alone in Minnesota, especially when the messages show intent to purchase, sell, distribute, or traffic drugs. Prosecutors often use text messages to demonstrate intent to commit a drug crime, show a history of drug activity, link you to a specific phone, and corroborate physical evidence. Text messages often strengthen the probable cause required for the police to arrest and charge you. They are, however, not sufficient for a conviction without compelling supporting physical evidence.
Handcuffed man in beanie looking distressed during interrogation. police lie to you during an interrogation

Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in Minnesota?

Criminal defendants who interact with police officers for the first time are often left wondering, “Can the police lie to you during an interrogation?” Police officers can lie to you during an interrogation. In fact, deception is a lawful and fully permitted police technique provided the officers do not use it to force a confession. Police often claim possession of non-existent evidence or witnesses to trick you into disclosing information that can aid their investigation.