Michigan Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Lawyer

The lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire P.C. represent people wrongfully imprisoned in prisons and jails.  Through re-opened investigations and exoneration project success, many wrongly convicted people are finally being granted their freedom.

If you were innocent but sent to prison for a crime that you did not commit, you have the right to compensation.  While you will never regain that lost time, you have the opportunity to receive a substantial settlement for your incarceration time.

• What is the Time Limit to File a Wrongful Imprisonment Lawsuit?
• Wrongful Imprisonment Case Study
• Get Help from Our Michigan Wrongful Conviction Attorneys

Compensation for Wrongful Imprisonment

The State of Michigan enacted a new law on March 29, 2017 to compensate innocent individuals wrongly convicted and imprisoned for those crimes.  The state set up a compensation fund based upon the enactment of this law.

The statute, known as the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act, MCL 691.1753, is used to get substantial settlements for released prisoners.

To receive a settlement under the Act, you must establish following criteria under the statute:

• You were convicted of one or more crimes under Michigan Law;
• The court sentenced you to a term of imprisonment;
• You served at least part of the sentence in prison;
• Your judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated;
• The charges against you were dismissed, or on retrial, the person was found to be not guilty;
• That new evidence demonstrates the person was not the perpetrator of a crime or crimes and was not an accessory or accomplice were a basis of the conviction;
• The result of the criminal case was either (a) the judgment was vacated; (b) the charges were dismissed; or (c) a finding of not guilty; or (d) gubernatorial pardon.

If you meet these requirements, you should contact our experienced attorneys to file your complaint.

What is the Time Limit to File a Wrongful Imprisonment Lawsuit?

You must file your complaint for relief under the Act within three years after entry of a verdict, order, or judgment that was based on the judgment of conviction reversal or judgment vacation.  If you miss this deadline, your claim will be barred forever.

How Much are Exoneration Lawsuit Settlements?

Under the law, a claimant who meets the statutory criteria is entitled to $50,000 for every year they spent in prison.  For those incarcerated less than a year in prison, the amount is prorated to 1/365 of $ 50,000 for every day served in prison.

Several wrongly incarcerated people have been awarded over $ 1,000,000 settlement payouts for time spent in prison.  Other substantial settlements have also been paid.

Although you will never get back the time lost from your family and ordinary life, you can at least get compensated and begin the next phase of your life with some financial comfort.

Wrongful Imprisonment Case Study

A Michigan man was wrongfully convicted of first degree murder. After serving four years in prison, his conviction was vacated by the court.

Newly acquired evidence established he was not at the crime scene and he was freed from incarceration. A wrongful conviction lawsuit was filed against the arresting police department.

The suit claimed detectives withheld key evidence that would have exonerated the plaintiff. After lengthy litigation, the case settled for $1.95 million at mediation.

Get Help from Our Michigan Wrongful Conviction Attorneys

Our team of lawyers will fully investigate your case to see if you qualify for compensation.  If you meet the criteria, we will file your complaint and demand your full settlement.

Due to the strict time deadline, it is important to contact us today.  We will start working on your case immediately.

We charge no legal fees unless you win your case and receive a settlement check.