UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED POST-EXONERATION

Abstract

Wrongful convictions represent one of the most serious failures of criminal justice systems. Although exonerees are legally declared innocent, they often continue to experience stigma, disbelief, and social marginalization long after release. University students—future professionals, policymakers, and opinion leaders—play a critical role in shaping societal attitudes toward the wrongfully convicted. This research article examines university students’ perceptions of individuals who have been exonerated after wrongful conviction. Drawing upon attribution theory, stigma research, and innocence scholarship, the paper explores how beliefs about crime, justice, and personal responsibility influence post-exoneration perceptions. Empirical findings from prior survey and experimental studies are reviewed, and key factors such as crime severity, race, compensation narratives, and media exposure are analyzed. The article further discusses educational and policy implications, emphasizing the need for innocence-informed curricula to reduce stigma and promote reintegration. The study contributes to the growing literature on post-exoneration experiences by focusing on an understudied yet influential population.