As FindLaw goes on to note, circumstances which justify a vacated or overturned criminal conviction vary from state to state, but generally speaking evidence of juror misconduct in the court proceedings, such as failure to disclose outside influence or bias, is enough in most jurisdictions (via U.S. Legal). Other examples of what might lead to a vacated criminal conviction include a breached plea agreement, evidence of bias in the court itself, or errors on the part of the defense on behalf of their client. In the Syed case, crucial evidence was found to have been withheld from his attorneys, based on NPR reporting.
Read Related Also: Britain's £1bn shoplifting habit sends demand for security guards skyrocketing as firms crackdown on retail theft and abuse of staff
Mistakes or other examples of ineffectual performance by the defense is the most common reason overturned conviction cases are pursued, and the process to have a conviction overturned most often begins with a motion filed by defense attorneys on their client’s behalf, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). It’s important to note that in some states, the conviction will not be completely expunged from an individual’s record. If successful, their record will instead indicate the verdict was later overturned, vacated, or dismissed, as the ACLU goes on to note.
