The negative effects of being wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime you didn’t commit cannot be understated. According to the National Institute of Justice, the impact a wrongful conviction can have on your life can be even greater than the impact of being wrongfully incarcerated in the first place.
Even if you’re exonerated, the stain of wrongful incarceration is not something that can be washed away easily. If it happens to you, you may experience the following harmful effects:
- You could lose the chance to raise your children.
- You could get divorced.
- You could lose your family.
- You could face devastating fines and fees.
- You could lose your job or career.
- You may not be able to find a job when you get out.
- You could lose your driver’s license.
- You could face unfair treatment from law enforcement in the future.
You can never get the time you spent in prison back, but you have the legal right to seek compensation in a court of law. If you were falsely charged, convicted, or imprisoned for 72 hours or more, it’s time to call wrongful incarceration lawyer Ben Crump.
This wrongfully convicted man sits in a cell, knowing his life may be ruined if and when he gets out.
Wrongful Convictions and Incarcerations: A Growing Problem
If you’ve been wrongfully convicted, you are far from alone. This problem is growing, and it isn’t going to go away anytime soon unless someone is willing to step up and hold the justice system accountable.
Ben Crump is a wrongful conviction lawyer who has been fighting for people’s civil rights for decades, and he has the experience to hold corrupt law enforcement officials accountable.
Wrongful Incarceration Facts
- The problem of wrongful charges and incarcerations affects African-Americans more than any other group.
- Nearly half of the 1,994 people who were exonerated since 1989 were African-American.
- African-Americans who are wrongfully convicted of murder spend an average of three more years in prison than whites who have been cleared (Chokshi, 2017).
- There were 166 exonerations in the United States in 2016 (2016 a Record Year, 2017).
- Between 1989 and 2017, there were nearly 2,000 known exonerations in the U.S.
These figures include people charged with everything from homicide to non-violent offenses such as drug possession. The statistics don’t include those who have yet to be exonerated, but who have nevertheless been wrongfully incarcerated.
Why Are People Wrongfully Incarcerated?
There are many reasons why you could be wrongfully charged and incarcerated for a crime, or crimes, that you didn’t commit.
- A witness could have mistakenly identified you.
- Your confession may have been false or coerced, as could accusations against you.
- There could be misconduct on the part of officials.
The specific reasons for wrongful incarcerations can vary from case to case, but one factor that is often a factor is systemic racism.
Compensation for the Wrongfully Incarcerated
The federal government and 32 states, plus the District of Columbia, all have laws requiring some type of compensation for wrongful incarceration. Some even go further, mandating vocational programs and other services. However, to get the money and services you’re entitled to, you might need the help of an experienced legal advocate like Ben Crump.
Mr. Crump is known nationally for his work as a civil rights advocate and an outstanding personal injury lawyer helping people get justice for the wrongs they’ve suffered. He can help you try to get your life back on track. Contact him today for a free case evaluation to discuss your case and the possibility of obtaining compensation with the help of our attorneys. A settlement or court award won’t undo the wrong that was done to you, but it can give you a brighter future.
References
Chokshi, N. (March, 2017) Black People More Likely to Be Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, Study Shows.
Innocence Staff (March, 2017) 2016 a Record Year for Exonerations.
