Seeking Justice After a Wrongful Conviction
Washington’s Wrongfully Convicted Person’s Act (RCW 4.100) provides provide an avenue for those who have been wrongly convicted in Washington state to redress the lost years of their lives, and help to address the unique challenges faced by the wrongly convicted after exoneration.
In order to file a claim for compensation the claimant must establish by documentary evidence that:
- The claimant has been convicted of one or more felonies in superior court and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and has served all or part of the sentence;
- The claimant is not currently incarcerated for any offense; and
- During the period of confinement for which the claimant is seeking compensation, the claimant was not serving a term of imprisonment or a concurrent sentence for any crime other than the felony or felonies that are the basis for the claim;
- The claimant has been pardoned on grounds consistent with innocence for the felony or felonies that are the basis for the claim; or
- The claimant's judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated and the charging document dismissed on the basis of significant new exculpatory information or, if a new trial was ordered pursuant to the presentation of significant new exculpatory information, either the claimant was found not guilty at the new trial or the claimant was not retried and the charging document dismissed; and
- The claim is not time barred by RCW 4.100.090.
If you believe you meet all the above requirements and qualify for compensation for a wrongful conviction contact us today.
