While wrongful convictions happen in every state, some experience a higher percentage than others. More specifically, Illinois has the highest number of wrongful convictions in the United States, based on exoneration statistics.[1]
The negative effects of a wrongful conviction extend far beyond the financial consequences. Victims may lose their jobs or personal assets, and they may struggle to find employment even after exoneration. In these cases, the exonerated may seek justice and financial compensation for their losses in civil court.
If you were wrongfully convicted, served time, and had your conviction overturned, pre-settlement funding with USClaims may be able to support your financial needs while your case is pending.
We invest in qualified applicants’ cases, and the return on our investment is a predetermined portion of any settlement or court award obtained. The financial risk is ours; if you don’t prevail in court, you owe us nothing.
Overview of Wrongful Convictions in the United States
Wrongful convictions can occur in any state, but they come at an extreme cost. In 2023, there were 153 exonerations across 32 states, with Illinois claiming 24. On average, those exonerated spent 14.6 years wrongfully imprisoned. Cumulatively, the exonerated spent a grand total of 2,230 years behind bars despite never committing the crimes that garnered their convictions.[1]
The Innocence Project
The Innocence Project dedicates itself to preventing and overturning wrongful convictions. The nonprofit also reports the frequency with which exonerees receive no compensation. In fact, 14 states haven’t even established a compensation law.[2]
Consider the following wrongful conviction statistics in the United States:
- Illinois, with 24 exonerations, had far more than the vast majority of states. Many relate to the misconduct of a former Chicago police sergeant whose team wrongfully incriminated hundreds of innocent people in the early 2000s.[3]
- The other states with the highest numbers of exonerations in 2023 include Texas (22), New York (21), Pennsylvania (16), and Oregon/California (7).[2]
- Based on the cases undertaken by the Innocence Project, eyewitness misidentification accounts for over 60% of wrongful convictions.[2]
Wrongful Convictions: Common Causes
Every wrongful conviction case has unique circumstances and players. However, certain causes tend to appear more frequently than others. These may include (but are not limited to):
- Professional misconduct: As mentioned regarding Illinois and its wrongful convictions due to corrupt law enforcement, professional misconduct happens. Framing a suspect is a particularly egregious form of professional misconduct involving falsely implicating someone with fabricated evidence or testimony. Other forms can include overzealous interrogation techniques or buried exculpatory evidence (evidence that supports the defendant’s innocence).[1][3]
- False confessions: False confessions are often a consequence of officers who make confessing seem preferable to continuing the interrogation.[4]
- Junk science: Juries uphold some evidence as scientific until proven otherwise, referred to as junk science. For example, judges once considered bite marks to be conclusive. While the court has mostly debunked the validity of bite marks, such evidence still makes its way into courtrooms. Because juries don’t generally consist of 12 scientists, junk science can play a critical role in wrongful convictions statistics.[5]
- Inadequate defense: Fighting a criminal charge is an incredibly stressful experience, and because many defendants don’t have the resources to hire experienced criminal defense attorneys, they have to rely upon public defenders. Since these public defenders often have heavy caseloads, they may not provide proper legal advice or a solid defense.
Pre-Settlement Funding From USClaims Can Help You Obtain Fair Compensation
In the United States, wrongful conviction statistics prove that nobody is safe from spending time behind bars for a crime they didn’t commit. If you lost time or money after a wrongful conviction, you should seek compensation for your damages. After all, the impact of wrongful convictions can be significant.
Lawsuits regarding wrongful convictions often cost more than most can afford out of pocket. At USClaims, we believe finances shouldn’t stand in the way of seeking justice through the court. That’s why we provide wrongful conviction settlement funding for qualified claimants in exchange for a prearranged percentage of the settlement or amount awarded by the court.
Furthermore, attorney testimonials applaud our services, describing access to pre-settlement funding as invaluable to their clients during legal proceedings.
If your case qualifies, we’ll purchase a portion of your anticipated settlement and you’ll receive your funds within 24 business-day hours. You’re free to use the money you receive in any way you wish and there is no financial risk. If you lose the case, you don’t pay us back anything. If you receive a settlement or award, your attorney will pay us directly from the settlement proceeds before disbursing the remainder — minus costs incurred — to you.
To learn more about how pre-settlement funding works, check out our settlement funding FAQs. If you decide to apply for pre-settlement funding, don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 1-877-USCLAIMS today.
The availability of pre-settlement funding varies by state. Contact USClaims for more information.
Sources
- “2023 ANNUAL REPORT.” NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EXONERATIONS, 18 Mar. 2024, www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Documents/2023%20Annual%20Report.pdf.
- “Our Impact: By the Numbers – Innocence Project.” Innocence Project, 27 June 2024, innocenceproject.org/exonerations-data.
- Loevy, Debra. “Watts Team Scandal.” The Exoneration Project, 13 Sept. 2022, www.exonerationproject.org/stories/watts-team-scandal.
- “False Confessions – Innocence Project.” Innocence Project, 1 May 2023, innocenceproject.org/false-confessions.
- “Why Bite Mark Evidence Should Never Be Used in Criminal Trials – Innocence Project.” Innocence Project, 23 Apr. 2023, innocenceproject.org/why-bite-mark-evidence-should-never-be-used-in-criminal-trials.
