Wrongful Conviction

Nobody should sit in prison for a crime they did not commit. This unacceptable injustice has a profound impact on the innocent person serving a sentence, their families, and the greater community. The emotional, psychological, and financial toll that a wrongful conviction takes can be devastating.

At Brustein Law, we understand the gravity of wrongful convictions and have made it our mission to advocate for the wrongfully convicted. If you or a loved one are serving a sentence on the federal or state level for a crime you did not commit on the federal or state level in New York or New Jersey; we are prepared to start fighting for you today. We will empower you to speak up, backed by a thorough understanding of the law, and we will bring credibility to your truth. You tell the truth, and we’ll handle the rest. We are prepared to fight to overturn a wrongful conviction for any crime, and we are ready to fight so you can see just compensation for the harm you have suffered.

What is a Wrongful Conviction?

A wrongful conviction occurs when an individual is found guilty and sentenced for a crime they did not commit. Countless factors cause and contribute to wrongful convictions. The consequences of a criminal conviction are severe, often leading to a loss of freedom, reputational damage, financial hardships, and an emotional toll that cannot even be quantified. Wrongful convictions undermine everything the American justice system purports to stand for and must be addressed to the full extent of the law.

Wrongful convictions are unfortunately common. A study by the University of Pennsylvania estimates that the rate of criminal convictions could be as high as 6%, or just over one of every seventeen convictions. New York and New Jersey provide robust legal frameworks to identify, overturn, and compensate victims of wrongful convictions.

Common Causes of Wrongful Convictions

Wrongful convictions are a gross miscarriage of justice and can occur for a wide variety of reasons, including:

  • Inadequate alibis and mistaken identifications

  • False confessions

  • Police and prosecutorial misconduct

  • Flawed, misapplied, or misconstrued forensic science

  • Perjured testimony

  • Ineffective legal representation

  • Unreliable and unregulated jailhouse informants

  • Coerced pleas

Seeking Justice and Compensation for Wrongful Convictions

Not only is Brustein Law prepared to help you get your conviction overturned through motions and appeals, but we are committed to helping you see just compensation for the harm you have suffered. Of course, we understand that no amount of money can undo your suffering and losses after being wrongfully convicted. Still, rightful compensation can help you support your family, adjust to your new reality, and get back on your feet.

We are committed to securing compensation for the injustices you’ve endured. In addition to relentlessly pursuing exoneration, we will fight for compensation such as:

  • Lost time

  • Lost wages

  • Emotional distress and mental anguish

  • Pain and suffering

  • Reputation damage

  • Medical treatment, especially for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD

  • Punitive damages in cases of especially egregious and malicious conduct

  • Attorney’s fees and court costs

New Jersey also provides tuition assistance, medical assistance, employment assistance, housing assistance, and counseling services to exonerated individuals.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one have been convicted of a federal or state crime you did not commit in New York or New Jersey, trust Brustein Law to ensure this gross miscarriage of justice doesn’t go unnoticed or unaddressed. We will fight aggressively for exoneration and the maximum compensation available under the law. Our skilled and seasoned team is ready to start fighting for you today. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.