Official Misconduct, Exoneree Race, and the Length of Time from False Conviction to Exoneration

Authors

Blase S. Rokusek, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Abstract

We investigated the interaction of official misconduct (OM) committed by criminal justice officials and race of the defendant in the context of the length of time from conviction to exoneration. We included in our study cases from 1989 to 2020 from the National Registry of Exonerations (NRE), which compiles in its database exonerations accomplished both with and without DNA evidence. Analysis revealed that there does exist an interaction effect of OM and race of the defendant. The timeframe from conviction to exoneration was longest when the case involved both OM and a Black exoneree. Our results indicate that official misconduct and exoneree race, as well as the interaction of these two variables, are important factors in the exoneration timeframe.

Recommended Citation

Rokusek, Blase S. (2021) "Official Misconduct, Exoneree Race, and the Length of Time from False Conviction to Exoneration," Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 25, Article 9.
Available at: https://openspaces.unk.edu/undergraduate-research-journal/vol25/iss1/9