Families at war? Relationships between ‘survivors’ of wrongful conviction and ‘survivors’ of serious crime

Abstract

Following the quashing of an unsafe conviction, the appellant and their supporters often rejoice that their quest for justice has been successful and that the appellant has been released from their wrongful imprisonment. For the survivors of crime involved in the criminal case, including those suffering bereavement after homicide, the appellant’s release from the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) can engender feelings of resentment and hostility. This article will examine relationships between survivors of wrongful conviction and survivors of crime often involved in the same criminal case. The article argues that the antipathy between the families contributes to undermining both parties’ desire for emotional healing and recovery.