OCR A-Level Law Practice Exam

A 'miscarriage of justice' refers specifically to situations where an individual is wrongfully convicted and punished for a crime they did not commit. This often arises from errors in the legal process, such as wrongful testimonies, inadequate legal representation, or improper evidence handling. In such cases, the fundamental principle of justice—ensuring that the guilty are punished while the innocent are exonerated—is violated.

The other options, while related to aspects of the justice system, do not accurately capture the definition of a miscarriage of justice. Early release from prison and reduction in sentencing after an appeal may correct judicial errors but do not directly relate to the injustice of punishing an innocent person. Exoneration due to new evidence represents a remedy for a miscarriage of justice but does not define the concept itself. Thus, the most precise understanding of a miscarriage of justice is the conviction and punishment for a crime not committed.