North Carolina Wrongful Prosecution Lawyer

North Carolina Wrongful Prosecution Attorney

While the criminal justice system includes many safeguards intended to ensure just proceedings, mistakes and misconduct are unfortunate realities for many people, and it is possible for someone to be wrongfully accused of a crime. Wrongful prosecution occurs whenever an individual is prosecuted for a criminal offense they did not commit. If you or a loved one has experienced this, a North Carolina wrongful prosecution lawyer is an essential asset.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Wrongful Prosecution in North Carolina

Pfeiffer Rudolf has extensive professional experience representing clients who have been wrongfully accused of crimes they did not commit. This situation can feel desperate and isolating, as though the entire criminal justice apparatus has been positioned against the wrongfully accused person. Our goal is to ensure justice for those faced with this situation, guiding them toward recovering financially, emotionally and clearing their name as efficiently as possible.

Our firm has proven successful in handling wrongful prosecution cases and assisting those convicted of crimes they did not commit. When you choose our firm to represent you, we leverage decades of professional experience, extensive legal resources, and partnerships with various nonprofits and advocacy groups in effort to help you recover.

Your situation may feel hopeless, but if you did not commit the offense for which you were charged and that charge has now been dismissed by a prosecutor or you have been found not guilty by a jury, it is vital to stand your ground and seek justice for the damage done to you by the criminal legal system. The right North Carolina wrongful prosecution lawyer on your side can make this fight less taxing on you personally, and our team will do everything we can to streamline your proceedings and help you gain compensation for the reputational and other damage caused by your wrongful prosecution.

Understanding Wrongful Prosecution in North Carolina

The phrase “wrongful prosecution” refers to the pursuit of a criminal case against a person without probable cause. It applies to every step leading up to and including the trial of an innocent person. The greatest risk for anyone facing wrongful prosecution is to be found guilty of a crime they did not commit and endure a wrongful conviction, which can have disastrous effects on their life and the lives of their family members.

Wrongful prosecution can arise from many possible situations, including:

• Mistaken identity. Many people have unfortunately been subjected to wrongful prosecution simply because they matched the description of a subject and/or were in the wrong place at the worst possible time.
• False allegations. Unfortunately, many people are prosecuted simply because they have been falsely accused of a crime. The criminal justice system seeks to minimize or prevent harm to victims whenever possible, and this typically means siding with accusers whenever illegal misconduct has been alleged.
• Problems with evidence. Any evidence that is to be used against a defendant charged with a crime must be credible, admissible, and collected in a lawful manner. Wrongful prosecutions can occur when evidence was mishandled, tainted, or collected in an unlawful manner.
• Official misconduct. It is possible for wrongful prosecution to occur due to intentional misconduct by police. Mishandling or planting evidence, illegally coercing confessions, incentivizing witnesses, or violating a suspect’s constitutional rights are just a few examples of how official misconduct might lead to wrongful prosecution in North Carolina.

Ultimately, no matter how wrongful prosecution arises, it is critical for the accused to connect with an experienced North Carolina wrongful prosecution lawyer as quickly as possible after the dismissal of charges or not guilty verdict. The right attorney can examine the details of the case, identify errors in procedure and instances of misconduct that have contributed to the wrongful prosecution, and assist the client in recovering from the devastating experience.

The statute of limitations for bringing a wrongful prosecution claim in North Carolina is three years.  The clock starts on the day the criminal proceedings are finally terminated in the plaintiff’s favor (i.e. with a dismissal or a not guilty verdict).  If you’ve been wrongfully prosecuted, you have three years to gather evidence and file a claim.  If your claim is not filed within the three-year statute of limitation period, no claim can be brought.

Find the Right Attorney in North Carolina

Pfeiffer Rudolf can provide the legal representation you need when you have been wrongfully prosecuted in North Carolina. Our firm has not only assisted innocent clients who have been wrongfully prosecuted, but we have also successfully secured compensation for those wrongfully convicted in North Carolina:

• Our firm helped to secure the exoneration of Ray Finch, who was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years after being wrongfully prosecuted and convicted of a murder he did not commit. Finch faced the death penalty because of mishandled evidence, witness tampering, and other prosecutorial misconduct.
• We represented Ronnie Long, a man who spent 44 years behind bars after being wrongfully prosecuted and convicted for a rape he did not commit. Our firm not only proved evidence and jury tampering but also assisted Long in securing the largest civil settlement for wrongful conviction from the City of Concord due to the mistreatment he experienced.

Pfeiffer Rudolf provides compassionate and responsive legal counsel for anyone who has been wrongfully prosecuted in North Carolina. We excel at reviewing complex legal situations and identifying crucial pieces of evidence that assist our clients in proving the truth of their situations. We can help you navigate your case with confidence.

Contact Pfeiffer Rudolf today and schedule a consultation.