Compensation For Wrongful Convictions
π Overview: Compensation for Wrongful Convictions
After someone is exonerated, they may seek financial compensation through:
State compensation statutes
Federal civil rights lawsuits (e.g., under 42 U.S.C. Β§1983)
Private bills or settlements
But not all states have laws for automatic compensation β and proving harm in court is hard. Letβs study real cases to see how courts approach this.
π Key Cases (with detailed explanation)
1. Kirk Bloodsworth (Maryland)
Background:
First death row inmate exonerated by DNA (convicted in 1985, exonerated in 1993).
Compensation:
Maryland passed special legislation granting him $300,000, as there was no standard compensation law at the time.
Significance:
Prompted Maryland to adopt a formal compensation statute β showing how landmark cases can lead to reform.
2. Anthony Graves (Texas)
Background:
Spent 18 years in prison (12 on death row) before his conviction was overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct and lack of evidence.
Compensation:
Awarded $1.45 million under the Texas Compensation Statute, which provides $80,000 per year of wrongful incarceration.
Significance:
Texas has one of the most generous compensation statutes β and this case became a national example of how justice systems can fail.
3. Ronald Cotton (North Carolina)
Background:
Spent over 10 years in prison after a mistaken eyewitness identification; exonerated by DNA in 1995.
Compensation:
Received $110,000 from the state and later settled a civil lawsuit with the city for an undisclosed amount.
Significance:
Led to major reforms in eyewitness identification procedures β and inspired legal education efforts through his joint book with the victim.
4. Juan Rivera (Illinois)
Background:
Wrongfully convicted of rape and murder; DNA excluded him, but he was still convicted (three times). Spent 20 years in prison.
Compensation:
Received $20 million in a civil rights settlement for violations including coerced confession and fabrication of evidence.
Significance:
One of the largest wrongful conviction settlements β shows that civil lawsuits can succeed when police misconduct is proven.
5. Dewey Bozella (New York)
Background:
Served 26 years for a murder he didnβt commit. Conviction overturned when prosecutors were found to have withheld exculpatory evidence.
Compensation:
Denied statutory compensation by New York (due to procedural issues), but later awarded $7.5 million in a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Significance:
Shows the challenges of state compensation β and how Β§1983 suits offer an alternative when constitutional rights are violated.
6. Richard Phillips (Michigan)
Background:
Spent 45 years in prison β the longest-known wrongful incarceration in U.S. history. Exonerated in 2018.
Compensation:
Received $1.5 million under Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act.
Significance:
Case led to increased attention to elderly exonerees and delays in state compensation processing.
Summary Table
| Name | Time Served | Compensation | Route Taken | Key Issue Highlighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Bloodsworth | 9 years | $300,000 (legislation) | Special law (MD) | First DNA exoneration on death row |
| Anthony Graves | 18 years | $1.45 million | State statute (TX) | Prosecutorial misconduct |
| Ronald Cotton | 10.5 years | $110,000 + settlement | State + civil settlement | Eyewitness error |
| Juan Rivera | 20 years | $20 million | Civil rights lawsuit | Coerced confession, police misconduct |
| Dewey Bozella | 26 years | $7.5 million | Β§1983 civil suit | Brady violations |
| Richard Phillips | 45 years | $1.5 million | State statute (MI) | Longest-known wrongful sentence |
βοΈ Legal Principles Seen in These Cases
State compensation laws vary: Some are generous (like Texas), others have strict requirements or caps.
Civil rights lawsuits under 42 U.S.C. Β§1983: Can award large damages, but require proof of official misconduct.
Brady violations: Withholding exculpatory evidence can lead to overturning convictions and open the door to civil lawsuits.
Quick question for you:
Why might a person who was wrongfully convicted not receive compensation, even if they were fully exonerated?
(Hint: Think about legal procedures, burden of proof, or gaps in state laws.)
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