Those who have been convicted of a crime in Georgia may be able to use DNA evidence to help overturn their convictions. It is not uncommon for a person who is charged with rape or murder to be found guilty of a charge based on witness testimony instead of physical evidence. Often, these individuals already have criminal records, which may make it easier to accept witness testimony.
According to the Innocence Project, DNA evidence has resulted in 364 cases being overturned as of January 2019. The Innocence Project was founded in 1992. In most cases, physical evidence in a case is stored for many years after a person has been convicted. Therefore, it may be possible to test blood, hair or anything that may contain DNA long after a trial has been completed. As DNA testing has the potential to conclusively overturn a conviction, some have called for it to be used more often.
Those who approve of the death penalty tend to believe that individuals should be allowed to pursue any leads that may lead to their exoneration. This may be true even if they believe in the death penalty itself. By allowing individuals to make use of DNA evidence, it may prevent a person from being wrongfully executed for a crimes that they didn’t commit.
Individuals who are charged with a crime may have an attorney help with their cases. An attorney may also take steps to assist with the appeals process. These steps may include requesting that DNA evidence be tested or asking that other irregularities in the case be reviewed. This may result in a case being thrown out or a defendant being granted a new trial.