A robbery conviction in Tennessee relies heavily on eyewitness testimony. Unfortunately, your life can take a drastic turn when a single eyewitness wrongly accuses you of the crime.
If you are facing this situation, understand that eyewitness identification is not infallible. A high-stress, dangerous event like a robbery can muddle a witness’s memory, which is a critical point in building your defense.
Proving you were somewhere else
Your most powerful defense may be an alibi. This can prove that you were physically present at a different location when the robbery occurred.
Presenting an alibi requires you to gather evidence, which can include GPS data, time-stamped receipts, video footage and credible witness testimony from people who saw you elsewhere. However, before you can do so, you must follow the state’s rules of criminal procedure. Missing these procedural steps can bar you from using your alibi as a defense.
Challenging the eyewitness’s memory
Before a judge can convict you of robbery, the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. You can create this doubt by challenging the reliability of the initial identification. Should you decide to have a legal team by your side, they are responsible for questioning the witnesses and undermining the accuracy of their memories.
The power of reasonable doubt
If your alibi is strong or the eyewitness’s account is inaccurate, you create the reasonable doubt necessary to avoid conviction. Performing this by yourself can be risky, especially with your freedom and future at stake. Due to the complexity of your situation, getting legal help from an attorney can help you face the legal system.
