Final answer:
Eyewitness misidentification is a factor that commonly leads to wrongful convictions of innocent defendants.
Step-by-step explanation:
One factor that commonly contributes to an innocent defendant being wrongfully convicted is eyewitness misidentification. Research has shown that faulty eyewitness identification and testimony can lead to wrongful convictions, as it is the leading cause of such cases. Courts often rely on eyewitness identification, but it can be unreliable and prone to mistakes.