Eyewitness testimony can sway a jury from a not-guilty to a guilty verdict, or vice versa. This testimony is often more widely available and can be used on its own to convict a defendant in a criminal trial.
While an eyewitness may testify to seeing certain events unfold, many eyewitnesses are mistaken. An estimated 77,000 suspects are arrested each year on eyewitness testimony. However, studies show that mistaken eyewitness testimony can be attributed to more than 50% of all wrongful convictions.
If you have been charged with a crime, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney who can help assess the reliability of eyewitness testimony in your case.
Factors that Affect Eyewitness Testimony
There are several factors that will affect the credibility of eyewitness testimony: