Brian Dement confessed in 2007 to taking part in murder with three other men. He pleaded guilty, and they were tried and convicted. When DNA emerged of their innocence, the three men’s convictions were overturned. But because his conviction was based on his plea, Dement remains in prison.

Henry and Juan Johnson, wrongly convicted of murder, won a new trial after 11 years in prison. The prosecutor offered to let them walk free — but only if they pleaded guilty.

Defendants with mental disabilities may be unable to understand the nature of court proceedings. But judges are often reluctant to act even when evidence of innocence emerges.

A Virginia case shows the high cost of taking a plea deal -- and the higher cost of turning it down.

George Alvarez pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer before a video emerged that painted a different picture. But a federal appellate court said the prosecutor had no duty to alert Alvarez of the video before his plea.