Georgia Wrongful Conviction Lawyer

Georgia Wrongful Conviction Attorney

The statistics related to wrongful convictions are disturbing and illustrative of a deep-seated problem in the United States. Including in the state of Georgia. Studies estimate that between 4-6% of people incarcerated in US prisons are actually innocent. If you or a loved one has been wrongfully convicted, a Georgia wrongful conviction lawyer can help.

Experienced Legal Representation for Wrongful Convictions in Georgia

Our firm also seeks redress for those who have been wrongfully convicted and served years in prison for crimes they did not commit.  And we have a proven record of success in securing justice and compensation for those who have suffered at the hands of the state.  Wrongful convictions occur too frequently in Georgia, including the following cases:

• Terry Talley, spent nearly four decades in prison after being wrongfully convicted of multiple rapes that were actually committed by a rogue law enforcement agent. Perjury and official misconduct played significant roles in Talley’s wrongful conviction. Terry was exonerated by the Georgia Innocence Project (hyperlink here: georgiainnocenceproject.org)
• Lee Clark, spent more than 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Police misconduct and witness manipulation were key factors in his wrongful conviction.
• Joey Watkins, who spent decades battling a wrongful conviction for a murder he did not commit. Evidence tampering, incentivized witnesses, and other official misconduct contributed to his wrongful conviction.

The presumption of innocence is a foundational rule in our criminal legal system. When paired with the requirement that the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it is supposed to help ensure that someone charged with a crime is not wrongfully convicted.

Too often, however, the system fails. Wrongful convictions can occur for many reasons, often in ways that can be very difficult to challenge:

• Police misconduct can sometimes lead to wrongful convictions through planted or misrepresented physical evidence, incentivized witnesses, or coerced confessions. A Georgia wrongful conviction lawyer can carefully review the details of their client’s arrest to dissect the police investigation and identify where and when the investigation went off the rails.
• Mistaken eyewitness identifications are also common causes of wrongful convictions. This is often touted as crucial and reliable evidence in criminal cases. However, human memory is fallible, and it is also possible for witnesses to be coerced into identifying innocent people.
• Other misconduct, such as suppressing evidence, illegally obtaining evidence, or mishandling of evidence, are just a few examples of how law enforcement’s failure to uphold constitutional requirements – and sometimes the failure to follow their own policies and procedures – can lead to wrongful convictions.
• The use of junk science or faulty forensic evidence in securing a conviction can also form grounds to contest the conviction. This type of evidence has been studied and criticized across the county in data-driven reports as well as in the media story from Pro Publica.

These are just a few examples of how wrongful convictions can arise in Georgia. If you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime you did not commit, this situation can feel isolating, unfair, and desperate. Many people in this position endure years in prison and many other penalties, including destroyed careers, strained family relationships, heavy economic losses, and damaged reputations.

A wrongful conviction is a failure of the criminal justice system. When such a failure occurs, it is imperative to work with a Georgia wrongful conviction lawyer who has the proven experience necessary to address the failure and provide comprehensive support through every step of your effort to seek financial, emotional and psychological healing.

Contact Pfeiffer Rudolf today and schedule a consultation.