Wrongful Convictions in Lansing, MI
A wrongful conviction can take everything from you: your freedom, your relationships, your career, and years you will never get back. For people in Lansing and across Michigan, the fight to clear your name does not end when a guilty verdict is read, and the law provides real paths forward for those who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit.
At Mueller Law Firm, our attorneys work with people fighting to overturn wrongful convictions and pursue the compensation and post-conviction relief Michigan law allows. Knowing what causes these injustices and what options exist can help you take the first step toward rebuilding your life.
How Common Are Wrongful Convictions?
Wrongful convictions are more common than most people realize. A recent study led by Charles Loeffler and his colleagues estimated that roughly 6% of people in a general state prison population are actually innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted. That figure shifts dramatically depending on the offense, ranging from just 2% in driving under the influence cases to around 40% in rape convictions. The same research suggests that false innocence claims themselves occur in only about 2% of cases.
What Causes Wrongful Convictions?
Wrongful convictions rarely come down to a single error. They usually result from several breakdowns in the criminal justice process that combine to convict an innocent person:
- Mistaken eyewitness identification: Human memory is unreliable. Witnesses frequently misidentify suspects, especially under stress.
- False confessions: Long interrogations, coercion, and psychological pressure can lead innocent people to confess to crimes they did not commit.
- Faulty forensic evidence: Outdated lab techniques, contamination, and analyst bias can produce inaccurate scientific conclusions that juries accept as fact.
- Official misconduct: Police or prosecutors sometimes withhold evidence, manipulate witnesses, or cut corners that compromise the fairness of a trial.
- Inadequate defense: Overworked or underprepared defense counsel may fail to investigate leads or challenge weak prosecution evidence.
Compensation for a Wrongful Conviction
Michigan’s Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act provides exonerees with $50,000 for each year spent wrongfully incarcerated, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The statute, MCL 691.1755, gives innocent people a direct way to seek financial recovery from the state without needing to prove misconduct by individual officers or prosecutors.
Post-Conviction Relief
There are multiple legal avenues available to challenge a conviction after trial, each designed for different situations and points in the process. In Michigan, options for post-conviction relief can include:
- Filing an appeal to challenge legal errors from the original trial
- Seeking a writ of habeas corpus to contest unlawful imprisonment, though there are strict requirements to meet before this is an option
- Pursuing expungement to clear qualifying arrests or convictions from your record
Protecting Your Rights After a Wrongful Conviction
A wrongful conviction strikes at the foundation of everything that matters in your life and correcting that injustice takes focused legal action and careful case preparation. Contact Mueller Law Firm to schedule a free initial consultation with a wrongful convictions lawyer in Lansing who will review your case, walk you through the post-conviction options available, and help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
