"In the Name of the Father”: Understanding Acquittal vs. Dismissal of Conviction
"In the Name of the Father" is a powerful film that explores themes of injustice, wrongful imprisonment, and the difference between a defendant being acquitted of charges at trial versus having a conviction dismissed or vacated. Starring one of the greatest actors of our generation, Daniel Day Lewis, the film is based on the true story of the Guildford Four, a group of people wrongfully convicted of carrying out bombings in Guildford, England. Through the journey of its characters, the film provides a thought-provoking look into the legal process and the profound implications of these two distinct outcomes.
Acquittal vs. Dismissal of Conviction: What's the Difference?
Before delving into how the film illustrates the difference between acquittal and the dismissal of a conviction, it's important to understand what these two terms mean within the context of the legal system.
Acquittal: Acquittal occurs when a defendant is found not guilty of the charges brought against them after a trial or legal proceeding. This means that the prosecution failed to prove that the defendant committed the crime. And that a judge or jury made that determination.
Dismissal of Conviction: The dismissal of a conviction, on the other hand, does not typically involve the weighing of facts and determining if there was enough evidence. Prosecutors can dismiss cases before the case even goes to trial. And although there was no conviction, there was no judge or jury who weighed the evidence to get to the dismissal. Prosecutors may have determined themselves that there was not enough evidence. But prosecutors are generally not required to disclose why they dismissed the case. And there are circumstances where the charges can be dismissed after a conviction occurred like what occurred in the film “In the Name of the Father”. The convictions were technically “quashed”. But there is no reason to get in the weeds comparing the nuances of the British legal system to Minnesota law. The conviction was effectively dismissed.
"In the Name of the Father" and the Guildford Four
The film centers around Gerry Conlon (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) and his father Giuseppe (played by Pete Postlethwaite), two of the Guildford Four. They are wrongfully accused and convicted of involvement in an IRA bombing in Guildford in 1974. The movie illustrates the profound differences between acquittal and dismissal of conviction through the experiences of these characters:
Unjust Conviction: Gerry and Giuseppe Conlon, along with others, are initially found guilty and sentenced to long prison terms. The film portrays the harsh realities of their wrongful incarceration, the abuse they endure in prison, and the impact on their lives.
Legal Battles: The film highlights the lengthy legal battles the Conlons face in their pursuit of justice. It becomes evident that their case was marred by police misconduct, suppression of evidence, and a flawed legal process.
Dismissal of Conviction: Ultimately, the film portrays the moment when new evidence comes to light, leading to the dismissal of their convictions. While they are not acquitted in a traditional sense, their convictions are dismissed, leading to their release from prison. Gerry Conlin certainly didn’t view his dismissal as being any less than an acquittal. The final scene of the movie is quite epic. After the case is dismissed and Gerry Conlin (portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis) triumphantly ascends the gallery seats to leave, a guard attempts to sidetrack him to a back door instead of the front door for purported safety reasons. Gerry Conlin says, “I’m a free man, I’m going out the front door.” He proceeds to walk out the front door and give a fiery speech bemoaning that his father died in prison an innocent man and vowing to help prove the innocence of the others involved in the case.
Conclusion
"In the Name of the Father" serves as a compelling narrative where a dismissal occurs instead of an acquittal. It showcases the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions and the arduous journey towards rectifying them. While an acquittal would have been the better outcome, the dismissal of a conviction can still offer a measure of justice by removing the conviction.
The film reminds us of the importance of a fair and just legal system, the need for safeguards against wrongful convictions, and the resilience of those who fight for truth and justice in the face of adversity. "In the Name of the Father" serves as a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and the pursuit of justice, even when innocence is unjustly denied.
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Peter Lindstrom, Of Counsel
Peter is also the founder of his own law firm, Subzero Criminal Defense. He regularly contributes to Jack Rice Defense. He brings both intelligence and creativity to crafting defenses and figuring out different strategies to advance the interests of the clients of Jack Rice Defense. Peter is also the creator of FalselyAccused.com, a website devoted to reverse engineering wrongful convictions from the past to provide insights for those falsely accused today.
