Long Beach Wrongful Conviction Lawyer

One of the worst experiences of any person’s life could be a wrongful conviction for a crime they did not commit. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system in California often makes very serious mistakes that devastate individuals who have done nothing wrong or who have had their rights violated in such a way that they were unable to defend themselves against criminal charges. A Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer is an ideal resource for such incidents.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Wrongful Conviction Cases in Long Beach, CA

Greg Peacock Law focuses on police misconduct cases, and our firm has helped many past clients hold police officers and police departments accountable when they fail to uphold their professional duties and violate the rights of members of the public. We can also assist our clients who have been unjustly punished by the criminal justice system for various reasons. We are confident that we can help you overcome a wrongful conviction in Long Beach.

The criminal justice system in the United States hinges on the idea that every defendant is innocent until proven guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” meaning the evidence presented by the prosecution is so compelling that any reasonable person would be unable to doubt whether the defendant committed the act in question. Every defendant has various rights that come into play in a criminal case, but some are not able to fully exercise these rights.

An experienced Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer is the ideal asset for anyone who has been unfairly subjected to punishments in the criminal justice system for crimes they did not commit. Proving a mistake of fact or mistake of law that led to the wrong court decision is a very complex process, and it is imperative to have experienced legal counsel on your side if you intend to prove you or a loved one were the victim of a wrongful conviction.

Wrongful Conviction

Call Greg Peacock Law today at
(949) 292-7478 for your Free Consultation!

Free Consultation!

Proving Wrongful Conviction in Long Beach

There are two main phases to any wrongful conviction case. The first unfolds in the criminal justice system and entails proving that the defendant did not, in fact, commit the crime in question. The second is a civil matter in which the victim seeks compensation for the damages they suffered because of their wrongful conviction. Greg Peacock Law can listen to your story and explain what to expect if you intend to pursue a wrongful conviction claim in Long Beach.

The first step in building a wrongful conviction case in Long Beach is proving the root cause of the wrongful conviction. While the criminal justice system is meant to ensure fairness and uphold individual civil and Constitutional rights, mistakes and misconduct happen, sometimes with devastating effects, and the average person may not know how to prove the truth of their situation. It is possible for someone to be wrongfully convicted of a crime for several reasons:

• Mistaken identity is another possible cause of a wrongful conviction. The wrongfully convicted individual may physically resemble the person who actually committed the crime in question, but they were incorrectly identified by eyewitnesses as the actual perpetrator. Mistaken or intentionally untruthful witness testimony can sometimes be enough to sway a jury toward conviction.
• False confessions can also lead to wrongful convictions. If the court sees a defendant has confessed to a crime, proceedings are likely to unfold very quickly. The defendant may have confessed due to intimidation, threats, or other pressure from police or prosecutors. This is especially likely to occur if the defendant was unable to exercise their right to legal counsel.
• Intentional misconduct is also a possible cause of a wrongful conviction. This may include planted evidence, falsified records and testimony, and other illegal misconduct by the police or prosecution in their efforts to score a conviction.
• Flaws with evidence can also lead to wrongful convictions. It is possible that the prosecution presented evidence that was actually inadmissible, or the forensic evidence they presented against the defendant was compromised or faulty in some way. While forensic evidence is typically considered reliable, it is possible for serious issues to affect any type of forensic evidence and lead to a wrongful conviction.

Ultimately, proving a wrongful conviction occurred is a very challenging process that requires calling the integrity of the criminal justice system into question. This is a daunting prospect for the average person, and anyone facing this situation must secure legal counsel they can trust in order to prove that their conviction was indeed wrongful. The right Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer is a crucial asset for this type of case.

Building Your Wrongful Conviction Case in Long Beach

If you were wrongfully convicted of a crime you did not commit, you have the right to seek compensation for any resulting damages. You must first prove that the conviction was indeed wrongful by showing a mistake of fact or mistake of law that led to the court delivering the wrong verdict. Your Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer will be essential for helping you gather exculpatory evidence that proves the truth of the situation.

You may have been imprisoned for months or even years because of a wrongful conviction, and this may have caused you to lose your job, strained your relationships with friends and family, and diminished your standing in your community. You likely suffered tremendous psychological distress during this experience, and you may have also suffered physical injuries during your incarceration or from your initial arrest for a crime you did not commit.

Your Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer can help you prove the full extent of the damages you suffered because of your wrongful conviction and hold the appropriate parties accountable. It is possible for the victim of a wrongful conviction to claim compensation for various damages, both economic and non-economic.

If you were punished for a crime you did not commit and spent time in prison, you have the right to seek compensation for the income you were unable to earn during this period. Additionally, you may have great difficulty finding new employment after release due to the wrongful conviction, and you have the right to seek compensation for this lost earning capacity as well. You may also have the ability to claim compensation for lost property that was damaged or seized.

Non-economic damages are likely to comprise the bulk of the plaintiff’s recovery in a wrongful conviction claim. Your wrongful conviction and the resulting penalties likely caused severe psychological distress. You may have lost friends and suffered strained relationships with family members, and you may have also been forced away from your children. The loss of social standing following a wrongful conviction can also be humiliating.

It is also possible for a wrongful conviction case to yield punitive damages for the victim. As the name suggests, punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior in the future. The amount the victim receives will depend on the discretion of the court and typically reflects the severity of the wrongful behavior that caused their damages. If any intentional misconduct led to a wrongful conviction, those responsible could be prosecuted.

Your Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer can help you prove the full extent of the damages you suffered because of the criminal justice system’s mistake or misconduct. They can identify the party or parties responsible for your wrongful conviction and assist you in holding them accountable for the resulting damages. Greg Peacock Law has successfully helped many clients recover compensation for wrongful convictions and will put this experience to work for you.

What to Expect From Your Long Beach Wrongful Conviction Lawyer

There are many advocacy groups, such as the Innocence Project and various other organizations throughout California, dedicated to fighting wrongful convictions and the weaponized criminal justice system that negatively impacts thousands of lives each year in the United States. While these can be valuable resources for anyone who has suffered a wrongful conviction, an experienced attorney will be essential for ensuring accountability.

Greg Peacock Law has the professional resources and experience necessary to help clients prove wrongful conviction and pursue compensation for the resulting damages. We can also explain whether California Penal Code Section 4900 applies to your case if you have received a pardon from the Governor. The state of California enforces a compensation claim process for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and punished for crimes they did not commit.

Building a wrongful conviction case in Long Beach is inherently difficult in several ways, and it is crucial to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible so they can begin building your case. The team at Greg Peacock Law has the skills and experience necessary to provide the legal counsel you need in this incredibly difficult situation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Long Beach wrongful conviction lawyer.