A burglary has been committed – and you are being accused based on eyewitness identification. You know you were out of town when the alleged crime happened, but how do you convince the court that the eyewitness is wrong?
Being accused of a crime can be distressing, to say the least. This is especially true if you had nothing to do with the alleged crime in question in the first place. Unfortunately, there are plenty of stories of people who were arrested, convicted and sent to jail for crimes they did not commit.
Eyewitness accounts are problematic
Basically, mistaken identity happens when someone wrongfully identifies you as the perpetrator of a particular crime. This may be an honest mistake. It may also be the result of someone’s malicious or careless actions.
A number of factors can impact a person’s ability to correctly recollect the facts of a crime, including the face of the person who committed it. Here are some of these factors:
- When the witness is under some sort of threat or pressure
- Racial biases or problems differentiating between people of the same race
- When the witness’ viewpoint was obstructed or distorted due to poor lighting, weather conditions and the distance between the witness and the location of the crime.
- When the witness had memory problems due to intoxication, age or illness or when significant time has passed since the crime happened.
Other factors like poor eyesight might also lead to mistaken identity.
Fighting for your freedom
If you are charged with a crime, the prosecution will do everything in its power to find you, but you do not have to pay the price for a crime you did not commit. Experienced legal guidance can help you figure out the best possible defenses based on the unique circumstances of your case.