New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Discusses Recent DNA Evidence Acquittal
In 2003, a Perth Amboy man was convicted of a sexual assault that occurred in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 2002. A woman was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground, and forced to perform a sex act. The victim described her attacker to the police, who released a sketch of the suspect.
The victim subsequently identified the man she thought was her attacker in a photo line-up after the police received a tip from a Perth Amboy resident who said that the sketch resembled the accused defendant. The man was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 63 years in jail. At the time no DNA evidence was available.
Earlier this year a state appeals court overturned the conviction, and ordered a new trial for the man. While awaiting a second trial, new DNA evidence was discovered which exonerated him in the 2002 attack. Using methods that did not exist in 2002, the county forensic lab was able to identify DNA evidence in the case that did not belong to the defendant. All charges against him were dropped after his attorney and the prosecutor’s office both filed a motion to dismiss in light of the new forensic evidence.
New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyers at The Law Offices of Michele Finizio Fight for the Rights of Those Accused of Criminal Charges in Camden County, NJ
Forensic science is capable of providing evidence in cases where it was once non-existent. DNA evidence is not only being used to convict defendants, but it can also be instrumental in proving innocence. If you have been charged with a crime, and DNA evidence may be a factor in your case, you need a criminal defense lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with forensic evidence.
New Jersey criminal lawyer, Michele Finizio, has the skill and ability necessary to ensure the best possible outcome of your case. She has been aggressively defending clients charged with crimes in South Jersey since 2006. The Law Office of Michele Finizio is located in Moorestown, NJ, serving clients in Camden County and Burlington County. Contact us online or call 856-888-9059 to find out how we can help you.