Lizzie, false convictions are alarming: Guildford Four, Birmingham Six, Sally Clark and a lot more, some of which we know, some we don't. That says nothing about Timothy Evans and others who have met the same fate.
Not only alarming but hardly surprising when you think the accused can often only afford a junior back street barrister whilst the state (aka HM) has limitless resources so can provide a whole team of QC's. Our resources, that is. The jury may well have limited judgement and can be swayed by the theatrical performances of a skilled barrister. And then there's the 'expert witnesses': a lay jury was certainly swayed by the impressive Sir Professor Doctor Roy Meadows. And yet if your on the winning side, mass murderers walk free.
The adversarial method is certainly deeply flawed. And we laugh at trial by battle or ordeal!