New Jersey Wrongful Conviction Lawyers

Being accused of a crime is scary enough. But what if you’re completely innocent and end up convicted anyway? That’s the awful reality of wrongful convictions. If you or someone you know is wrongly convicted, our Shrewsbury wrongful conviction lawyers can make a difference during these tough times.

Wrongful convictions are when someone is sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit. It’s like punishing the wrong person for something they didn’t do. This is a big problem in the United States, and it happens more often than we might think.

Quick Summary:

• Wrongful convictions occur when innocent individuals are wrongly convicted of crimes they didn’t commit, which is a serious problem in the United States.
• Common causes of wrongful convictions include false confessions, mistaken identity, flawed evidence, unethical practices, and biases/prejudices.
• The Erroneous Conviction Act in New Jersey allows wrongly convicted individuals to seek compensation for the time they spent in prison if their conviction is overturned.
• Wrongful convictions have profound impacts on individuals and families, including loss of freedom, emotional distress, stigma, and financial hardship.

What is a Wrongful Conviction?

Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t do. You didn’t steal anything, hurt anyone, or break any laws, but suddenly, you find yourself in a courtroom, being told you’re guilty. This is what happens to many innocent people in the United States and it’s called a wrongful conviction.

A wrongful conviction happens when someone is convicted of a crime they did not do. It’s like being blamed for something they didn’t do. Our justice system tries its best to get things right, but sometimes mistakes happen. Innocent people can be wrongly accused and end up in jail, losing years of their lives.

What are the Common Reasons Why People Are Wrongfully Convicted?

Wrongful convictions happen more often than we’d like to think. Here are a few reasons why they occur:

False Confessions

Believe it or not, sometimes innocent people confess to crimes they didn’t commit. This could happen because of pressure from the police or because the person is scared and doesn’t understand what’s going on.

Mistaken Identity

Sometimes, witnesses or victims of a crime might make a mistake when identifying the person they think is responsible. Maybe they saw someone in a hurry and thought it was them, but it turned out they were wrong. This can lead to innocent people being arrested and convicted.

Flawed Evidence

This is when the evidence used in court isn’t as solid as it seems. For example, fingerprints or DNA might be mixed up, or there might be problems with how the evidence was collected or analyzed. If evidence is mishandled or misinterpreted, it can lead to a wrongful conviction.

Unethical Practices

Sadly, sometimes people working in the justice system might bend the rules. Maybe a prosecutor hides evidence that helps the defense, or a witness is pressured to lie. These unethical practices can lead to innocent people being wrongly convicted.

Biases and Prejudices

Unfortunately, our society isn’t always fair. Sometimes, people are treated differently because of their race, ethnicity, or other factors. This can influence how a case is handled and increase the chances of an innocent person being convicted.

Understanding these common causes of wrongful convictions is important. It helps us see where things went wrong and how we can prevent them from happening in the future. It’s all about making sure our justice system is fair and accurate for everyone.

What is the Erroneous Conviction Act?

The Erroneous Conviction Act, also known as N.J. Stat. Ann. § 52:4C-1 to § 52:4C-6, is a New Jersey law that allows people who were wrongly convicted of a crime to receive compensation for the time they spent in prison. It helps to provide justice for individuals who have been wrongfully imprisoned.

To be eligible for compensation under the Erroneous Conviction Act, the individual must have been convicted of a crime in New Jersey and later have their conviction overturned because they were found to be innocent. This involves presenting evidence that was not available at the time of the original trial, such as DNA evidence or witness testimony.

How Wrongful Convictions Impact Individuals and Families

When someone is wrongfully convicted of a crime, it doesn’t just affect them – it affects their whole life and the lives of their family members. Here are some of the impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and their families:

Loss of Freedom

Perhaps the most obvious impact of a wrongful conviction is the loss of freedom. The person who is wrongfully convicted is taken away from their home, their job, and their loved ones. They are forced to spend time in prison for something they didn’t do.

Emotional Distress

Being wrongfully convicted can take a heavy toll on a person’s mental health. They may feel angry, frustrated, or depressed about being unfairly punished for a crime they didn’t commit. This emotional distress can linger long after they are released from prison.

Stigma and Shame

Society often stigmatizes individuals who have been convicted of a crime, even if they are later proven innocent. This stigma can make it difficult for wrongfully convicted individuals to rebuild their lives.

Financial Hardship

Wrongful convictions can also have serious financial consequences. The person who is wrongfully convicted may lose their job, their income, and their savings while they are in prison. Even after they are released, they may struggle to find employment and support themselves financially.

When to File a Wrongful Conviction Lawsuit

When an individual is imprisoned and deprived of his or her physical liberty – and is later fully exonerated – they have every right to expect compensation for this miscarriage of justice. Being victimized by the very system that is supposed to protect them, they have lost a portion of their life they can never reclaim. A person in this situation will also endure irreparable harm to their reputation, relationships, and emotional well-being.

Police officers and prosecutors are capable of making mistakes. They are also capable of pushing forward blindly, simply to get a conviction. Other people may find it advantageous to lie if they think it will help them avoid conviction or lessen their own sentence. It doesn’t matter why – if you have been unjustly imprisoned, you deserve to work with an attorney who will fight for the justice you were originally denied.

How Will I Know if I’m Experiencing Unlawful Deprivation of Freedom?

There are truly few things that are as damaging to your life as being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for a crime you haven’t committed. Unfortunately, wrongful convictions happen all too frequently, and when they make the news, the details can be shocking.

Many defendants are unfairly targeted by law enforcement and prosecutors who use false evidence. Biased juries often agree with prosecutors, and sometimes evidence that could prove innocence is withheld, leading to wrongful convictions revealed only after years in prison.

Wrongfully convicted individuals often seek – and the jury awards – millions of dollars in compensation once they are proven innocent. Nevertheless, most people who are wrongfully deprived of their freedom, and are later exonerated, will tell you that no amount of money can make up for the pain and loss they have experienced due to their time spent in prison.

Call Our Shrewsbury NJ Wrongful Conviction Lawyers Now!

Wrongful convictions steal years of freedom, cause emotional pain, and leave families shattered. This unfair treatment, even after they’re out of jail, only makes the whole situation even worse. It shows why people who were wrongly convicted need our Shrewsbury wrongful conviction Attorney who knows the law and cares about them.

Here at Kreizer Law, we understand the fight for justice doesn’t end after a conviction. Our roots in Civil Rights are what sets our legal team apart from the rest. If your rights have been violated, and you have subsequently been proven innocent, we can help. There are federal and state laws that allow you to hold government officials accountable when they violate your civil rights. If this has happened to you, or someone you love, our personal injury law firm is here to guide you.

We are prepared to represent all clients who have been exonerated after they were wrongfully convicted of a crime. Unfortunately, this is usually proven only after they are stripped of their rights. We believe even “unpopular” clients who draw unfavorable press deserve fair and equal treatment. Often these individuals find it difficult to retain counsel even after the charges have been dismissed and their conviction was vacated.

If you or someone you know has been wrongfully convicted, don’t hesitate to seek help. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation and let us fight for your rights. We’ll listen to your story and explore your options. Together, we can obtain the justice you deserve. We can also help you handle medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, sexual abuse, and worker’s compensation cases in New Jersey.