Wrongful Conviction Attorneys

Turning exoneration into accountability.

Victims of wrongful arrests, convictions, and incarcerations experience harrowing trials and tribulations that often disrupt the rest of their lives and those of their families. These unjust experiences directly lead to painful separation from loved ones and create formidable obstacles for returning to a normal life, such as securing employment and restoring relationships. Victims often struggle to regain their sense of self, their reputation, and mental health during the aftermath of their convictions.

At McEldrew Purtell, we pride ourselves on our commitment to our clients and go above and beyond to bring our clients justice. Never backing down from a challenge, we work tirelessly to secure fair and just compensation for the victims and ensure the case receives the public attention and support it deserves, contributing to the advancement of justice and equality in our country.

Mistakes and Misconduct in Law Enforcement

Studies estimate that 4% to 6% of people in U.S. prisons are actually innocent. Wrongful convictions can occur anywhere for a wide variety of reasons. It is possible for law enforcement to make an honest mistake when errors in judgment and investigative practices occur.

Some convictions are also based on false, unreliable, or coerced testimony and evidence. In such instances, police and prosecutorial misconduct, which includes failure to disclose exonerating evidence, plays a significant role in many of these wrongful convictions, leading to a breach of justice.

Legal Recourse for the Wrongfully Convicted

Those who have been wrongfully convicted have legal recourse. State wrongful conviction laws and civil rights lawsuits provide avenues for recovering monetary damages. McEldrew Purtell’s civil rights lawyers are experts in guiding victims through this complex process to help them obtain the justice, compensation, and media attention they deserve.

Wrongful conviction victims are entitled to seek monetary compensation for each year of their wrongful incarceration. Although it won’t take away the pain and stigma of the accusations, it can help provide a new foundation for life and a fresh start. The compensation is also supplemented by assistance to secure housing, employment, educational opportunities, and mental health services for a holistic approach to recovery.

National Wrongful Conviction Settlements

$120 Million
John Fulton & Anthony Mitchell

Chicago, IL (2025, jury verdict) – Record federal jury award for 2003 murder convictions vacated in 2019.

$90 Million
Ronald Watts Corruption Cases

Chicago, IL (2025, global settlement) – City approved payout resolving 176 lawsuits / 180 individuals wrongfully convicted due to a disgraced CPD sergeant’s unit.

$25 Million
Maurice Hastings

Los Angeles County, CA (2025, settlement) – Spent 38 years in prison; DNA led to exoneration in 2022; largest wrongful-conviction settlement in California history.

$11.725 Million
Andrew Royer

Elkhart, IN (2023, settlement) – Exonerated in 2021 after 17 years; Indiana’s largest wrongful-conviction settlement at the time.

$48 Million
“Harlem Park Three”

Baltimore, MD (2023, settlement) – Alfred Chestnut, Ransom Watkins, Andrew Stewart – 36 years imprisoned; Maryland’s largest such settlement.

$25 Million
Ronnie Long

Concord, NC (2023, settlement) – 44 years imprisoned; $22M from city + $3M from SBI; public apology included.

$17.5 Million
George Bell

New York City, NY (2023, settlement) – Exonerated in 2021; NYC’s largest individual wrongful-conviction settlement at the time.

$14.25 Million
Daniel Taylor

Chicago, IL (2022, settlement) – 20 years imprisoned; City Council approved settlement May 2022.

Consult With a Civil Rights Attorney

Legal teams specializing in wrongful convictions provide assistance for a variety of criminal accusations, from minor to major offenses. Between 1989 and 2017 alone, there were nearly 2,000 known exonerations in the U.S. The focus is to not only overturn wrongful convictions publicly or secure a pardon, but to secure just and fair compensation to restore the freedom and dignity of those who have been unjustly accused.

Filing a civil rights lawsuit requires a dedicated team of trial attorneys, a thorough investigation, and fortitude from both parties. The lawyers at McEldrew Purtell are committed to obtaining justice for victims of wrongful convictions and their families and have the experience and track record to deliver the best results.

Learn More

McEldrew Purtell Files PCRA Petition Seeking Release of Michael Gaynor in 1988 Marcus Yates Case

McEldrew Purtell has filed a petition under Pennsylvania’s Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) seeking the release of Michael Gaynor, who has been incarcerated since his 1988 conviction in the tragic shooting death of 5-year-old Marcus Yates.

Family of Amanda Cahill Files Federal Lawsuit After Jail Overdose

McEldrew Purtell has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the family of Amanda Cahill, a 31-year-old mother who died in September 2024 of a suspected fentanyl overdose while incarcerated at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC).

Baton Rouge Police Department Strip-Search Class Action: What Victims Should Know (2025 Update)

The Baton Rouge Police Department Systematically violated the rights of citizens by taking them into custody, strip searching, and physically abusing them without justification or legitimate purpose. The officers and supervisors who committed these violations were in a specialized unit…