To those who aren’t routinely involved with the criminal justice system, it may sound far-fetched to say that people can be wrongfully convicted. However, the truth is that this happens all the time.
If one thing goes wrong on the day of your trial, you could be convicted as a result. You’ll be relying on your defense counsel to argue the case on your behalf, and they have a legal duty to do so effectively.
Unfortunately, defense advocates don’t always get it right. If they were ineffective while representing you, then you may be able to hold them to account. Not only that, but ineffective counsel can also be a legitimate route of criminal appeal.
Was there a conflict of interest?
Everyone involved in the criminal justice system has a duty to act with integrity. If, after your trial, you find out that your defense counsel had personal ties with those who made accusations against you but did not disclose them, then this is highly unprofessional. This could be deemed as a conflict of interest that the judge should have been made aware of. Those advising you are supposed to be on your side.
Unprofessionalism
Aspects of your defense may have been time-sensitive. There may have also been evidence that required careful handling. If your representative failed to file a motion to the court on time, and you were convicted as a result, they should be held to account for this. Additionally, if they lost a vital piece of evidence, this could be enough to say that they were ineffective.
Simple errors may not reach the standard required for ineffective counsel, but serious mistakes could. Seeking sound legal guidance will give you a better idea of your options and will also help ensure that the same thing doesn’t happen again.