Finding a Wrongful Conviction Lawyer in Philadelphia

Pursuing a wrongful conviction case following your exoneration and release is incredibly difficult. Evidence to prove the fault of some party for your wrongful conviction is often hard to find, and government officials typically enjoy broad immunity from civil lawsuits arising from actions those officials took under the authority of their office. For these reasons, you need a lawyer with experience in representing clients harmed by wrongful convictions.

Some of the characteristics you may want to look for when choosing a wrongful conviction lawyer include:

• Experience in litigating wrongful conviction claims.
• An attorney who takes a personal interest in seeing that you receive justice for what you have had to endure.
• Personalized attention and prompt communication, including taking the time to go over the details of your case, the strengths and weaknesses of your legal claims, and what you should expect throughout each stage of the proceedings.
• A compassionate approach to helping you feel more comfortable sharing the difficult details of your experience.
• An attorney who has the time and resources needed to thoroughly pursue every aspect of your claim.
• Insight into what you have lost so that you receive fair and full compensation in your case.

Although many wrongful conviction lawyers will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay your lawyer unless and until they secure compensation in your case, some attorneys will want to work on another fee arrangement basis.

In addition, you will need to sort out how to support yourself while you pursue your legal claim. You may be able to turn to litigation funding resources to help cover rent and other basic expenses or to help pay for the costs of your case. In a true litigation funding arrangement, you are not receiving a loan. Instead, the funding company is purchasing a portion of whatever compensation you may win in your wrongful conviction lawsuit. If you ultimately do not recover any compensation, you owe nothing to the funding company, which bears all the risk of your legal claim not being successful.