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Ohio Wrongful Conviction Attorneys

Wrongful Conviction Lawyers for
Cases Across the United States

We fight for victims of a failed system – and get results.

When you’re a victim of a wrongful conviction, years can be taken from you. We fight for restitution to help you put the pieces of your life back together.

We fight for victims of a failed system – and get results.

When you’re a victim of a wrongful conviction, years can be taken from you. We fight for restitution to help you put the pieces of your life back together.

“I couldn’t have had a better one or a more understanding lawyer than Bart Keyes from Cooper Elliott. I was wrongfully convicted, but he sincerely gave me hope. Because of the victory we won, I will be a little less frightened about growing old. I feel much safer and secure now.”
Jen Reach

What sets Cooper Elliott apart from other organizations that help the wrongfully convicted?

What sets Cooper Elliott apart from other organizations that help the wrongfully convicted?

Experience, knowledge, and tenacity

You deserve justice. Our professional wrongful conviction attorneys understand that you’ve experienced not only a loss of time during your wrongful imprisonment, but high levels of stress, pain, and suffering as well. We can help you get the justice you deserve.

Nationwide focus

We consider wrongful conviction cases all over the country. Our attorneys are admitted to practice in Ohio, Kentucky, New York, and Virginia but we team up with local co-counsel to bring cases anywhere.

Track record of success

Our wrongful imprisonment attorneys get you the compensation you deserve for the time and energy you lost while you were unjustly imprisoned- along with the pain and suffering you experienced.

Recent Wrongful Conviction Cases

Wrongful conviction case results that speak for themselves.

*The outcome of any client’s case will depend on the particular legal and factual circumstances of the case.
See More Results

Our Wrongful Imprisonment Attorneys Believe You Deserve Justice

Tell us what happened. We’ll take it from there.

People who have been wrongly convicted have lived a nightmare. They have been unjustly victimized, and deserve assistance returning to their communities and compensation to help create the life they should have had. We look at every angle, including statutory wrongful conviction claims, civil rights cases, and criminal legal malpractice. Our wrongful conviction lawyers are here to help you get your life back.

Unfortunately, victims of wrongful imprisonment may be further maligned by the very police and prosecutors who wrongly convicted them initially. At Cooper Elliott, we take time to develop strong relationships with our clients so that we fully know how the wrongful conviction affected them, and so we can obtain meaningful results.

Take the first step toward justice by contacting our offices for a free consultation. Here’s how the process usually works:

  • Initial Conversation
  • Case Evaluation
  • Filing of Lawsuit
  • Exchange of Information
  • Mediation
  • Trial
We listen to you.

Share your story and how the wrongful conviction has affected your life at your initial consultation. Our wrongful conviction attorneys listen to you and take note of how your wrongful conviction has negatively impacted your life.

We investigate your claim.

We work to understand the evidence leading to exoneration and the reasons for the wrongful conviction, like new DNA or forensic evidence, witness recantation, or misconduct by investigators or other government actors. This helps us build the strongest wrongful conviction case possible.

We work with experts.

Forensic scientists, DNA experts, private investigators, and other experts can help explain what happened and why. This allows us to present professional testimony in your wrongful conviction case.

We handle all aspects of your case.

You can rely on our experience at every step, from filing court documents to trying your case in front of a judge or jury. Our wrongful conviction attorneys handle your entire case, so you don’t have to worry.

We stand by you.

No matter what you need to get your life on track, we can help. We use our contacts to connect our clients with resources to help with exoneree needs beyond legal representation.

We find creative solutions.

We fight to recover fair compensation for your wrongful conviction. Where appropriate, we can also look for ways to accomplish goals besides recovering money. Some settlements include apologies, policy changes, or something else important to you.

Why Do Wrongful Convictions Happen?

Wrongful convictions happen for a variety of reasons: eyewitness misidentification, false or coerced confessions or admissions, ineffective assistance of counsel or legal malpractice, invalid scientific testimony, or misconduct by police officers and forensic investigators, just to name a few. Some wrongful convictions occur because of honest mistakes, while others occur because police, forensic investigators, or prosecutors are more interested in getting a conviction and closing a case than finding the truth.

The result is the same: people are torn from their families, lives are destroyed, and years are lost that can never be reclaimed. The harm can’t be undone, but just as a wrongfully convicted person deserves freedom, they also deserve to be compensated for what’s been taken.

The federal government, the District of Columbia, and more than 30 states have compensation statutes that provide payment to people who have been exonerated. A wrongfully convicted person also may have a claim under federal law for the violation of his or her constitutional rights.

Cooper Elliott’s wrongful conviction attorneys can recover compensation that will help you begin putting your life back together.

Frequently Asked Questions For Wrongfully Convicted Individuals

How many people have been wrongly convicted in the U.S.?

No one really knows for certain. As of early 2022, the National Registry of Exonerations counts 3,000 and nearly 27,000 years lost since 1989. However, this is just a fraction of wrongful convictions.

If my conviction has been vacated and I’ve been released from prison, am I guaranteed compensation from the government?

Unfortunately, no. A handful of states still do not provide compensation for people who have been wrongfully convicted. In most of the states that do provide compensation, the wrongfully convicted person still must file proceedings in court after their release to obtain a judgment of wrongful conviction. Many times the state’s attorneys will oppose this effort, victimizing the wrongly convicted person yet again by requiring them to hire a lawyer.

How long does it take to receive compensation?

Each state that provides compensation has a different statute and often a different philosophical approach to compensation. Some states work relatively quickly and cooperatively to provide compensation. Others drag the process out, fighting the wrongly convicted person’s efforts, and sometimes this battle can take several years.

How do I pay for a lawyer?

We recognize that an individual who has just been released from prison often has few, if any, financial resources to hire a lawyer to obtain compensation. As a result, in most instances, the individual can afford an attorney only if the attorney agrees to provide representation on a contingency fee basis. This means the client pays nothing unless there is a recovery in their case.

Can I sue someone for my wrongful conviction in addition to seeking money under a state compensation statute?

Sometimes, depending on the circumstances. In some situations, misconduct by a police officer or forensic investigator causes a wrongful conviction. This could include fabricating or falsifying evidence, witness coercion, or hiding evidence that would have helped show the person’s innocence. These acts may violate the person’s constitutional rights. In those instances, a lawsuit can be filed under federal law – in addition to or instead of a claim being filed under a state compensation statute – to recover damages.

What can I recover?

This depends. Many state compensation statutes set specific amounts of compensation, most often based on the amount of time the person spent in prison. These amounts and whether there is a maximum cap on them can vary widely from state to state. Some states also provide free or subsidized college tuition and re-entry services. Damages for civil rights claims, on the other hand, are not set or limited by statute. Settlements and verdicts tend to vary with the nature of the civil rights violation, the amount of time in prison, and the effects the wrongful conviction and imprisonment have on the person’s life. We consider every angle and legal theory to maximize our clients’ recovery in their particular case.

Talk to a Wrongful Conviction Lawyer

If you've been wrongfully convicted, contact us. Let us fight for you.

Are you a victim of a wrongful conviction? Schedule a free consultation to find the best way to seek restitution and to stop it from happening to someone else.

Take the first step toward justice by contacting our offices. Here’s how the process usually works:

  • Initial Conversation
  • Case Evaluation
  • Filing of Lawsuit
  • Exchange of Information
  • Mediation
  • Trial
  • Initial Conversation
  • Case Evaluation
  • Filing of Lawsuit
  • Exchange of Information
  • Mediation
  • Trial

Contact us 24/7

Call 614-481-6000




    Recent Reviews

    Chris SullivanChris Sullivan
    14:10 02 Mar 24
    My husband, Bob and I were injured in an automobile accident in December, 2022 when someone came through a Stop sign. We... contacted Cooper Elliott, and were fortunate to work with Sean Alto and Kaela King. They came to our home several times to meet us and discuss the case, and got to know us personally as well as professionally. They really care about their clients! In addition, Michael Tonovitz stayed in contact with us to keep us informed on the progress of the case, which was resolved to our satisfaction.We highly recommend this law firm for personal injury!read more
    Christina MotzChristina Motz
    19:02 01 Mar 24
    Reached out because they claim to do civil rights issues but getting police body cams when departments refuse is out of this... lawfirms ability according to the email.Need civil rights help, don't contact this firm, find a black lawyerread more
    Adam HoltAdam Holt
    13:55 20 Feb 24
    Dads SpecialtyDads Specialty
    14:06 15 Feb 24
    Highly Recommend Jon with Cooper & Elliott firm. He was very responsive and went above and beyond to help with our situation. ... Can't thank him enough for everything he has done for us. He will be our "Guy" moving forward for any legal help!!read more
    Ayesha AnsariAyesha Ansari
    23:14 25 Jan 24
    Excellent firm i am so glad I found cooper Elliot. My attorneys Jon and Adam helped me through the entire process
    Benjamin RoshBenjamin Rosh
    11:55 10 Jan 24
    Katie FarinaKatie Farina
    15:39 21 Dec 23
    I am so glad I found cooper Elliot. My attorneys Jon and Adam helped me through the entire process. After a traumatic experience... in my life I was confused and in pain. They worked tirelessly to become familiar with all the details of my story and represented me in a way that made me more able to process and understand the trauma myself. This was huge for me, while there’s still healing to do, I can do that work now instead of staying in a purgatory of cognitive dissonance. They didn’t just win justice for me, they are a significant part of my healing journey. They were validating, non judgmental, honest, and knowledgeable.read more
    Candy m wilsonCandy m wilson
    02:15 19 Dec 23
    Cindi RourkCindi Rourk
    17:29 15 Dec 23
    Excellent firm. The firm was referred to us for a commercial dispute. Bart Keyes is a master negotiator and kept us informed at... all times. Highly recommend.read more
    Val HernandezVal Hernandez
    01:19 10 Dec 23
    A DA D
    16:10 08 Dec 23
    Jonathan Bond handled a personal injury claim for me quickly with maximum results. He’s pleasant and enjoyable to work with, as... well as compassionate. The firm handled all the legwork of getting medical records and copies of paperwork, which not all firms do. I would recommend Jonathan to anyone and would definitely go back to him if the need were to arise again.read more
    Joe MillerJoe Miller
    12:19 02 Sep 23
    Very satisfied! We dealt with Bart Keyes who showed genuine interest in our situation. Bart was always very quick to respond when... we had questions and kept us informed throughout the case. If you need legal representation for a commercial real estate dispute we highly recommend Bart and the Cooper Elliot firm!read more
    Melanie ZookMelanie Zook
    08:42 23 Jul 23
    I honestly struggle to find the words to describe how incredible this firm is, especially Jeffrey Kenny and Sean Alto. 7 years... ago, my family started a journey through a nightmare. When the criminal justice system fell woefully short, Jeff agreed to take on our incredibly challenging and lengthy case, with no other reason than that it was the right thing to do, and he believed we deserved justice. There were so many times when I would have understood if they walked away, but they refused and vowed to get us the justice we deserved, and almost 7 years later, they have given my family just that. I will never, ever, forget what they have done for us. We were never just another case. They made us feel like we were their ONLY case! Thank you will never come close to the gratitude and respect I have for Jeff and Sean, as well as for Cooper Elliott. They will be superheroes in our home, forever!read more
    CM BuzzardCM Buzzard
    15:30 21 Jul 23
    Everyone from top to bottom in this company is always polite and ready to help. And no matter what is thrown their way, it's... handled quickly and skillfully. Whoever represents you will show themselves to be a master in their craft. You can feel safe working with Cooper Elliott.read more
    Matt BoazMatt Boaz
    11:20 16 Jun 23
    I would highly recommend Cooper Elliott to any of my friends and family! Chip Cooper was extremely helpful guiding me through a... difficult process. Chip was patient with me and provided feedback during the process that kept me informed until the desired outcome was achieved. There were interactions with other staff of the firm (whose names I do not know) that were helpful as well, I was impressed with the entire team!read more
    Jason HickJason Hick
    06:30 17 May 23
    Adam Richards is the best attorney I have ever met. He is responsive and very patient (I had a lot of questions) and he truly... cares. He fought hard for me and he stands up to the bully. he is not afraid to take on anyone. Anytime I hear someone who has a legal issue I go out of my way to recommend Adam. He is unlike any attorney I have ever met. He is compassionate and he always answers his phone. There is no way I would have got the results I received with any other attorney. He was a bulldog in my case and really went to bat for me. Words cant express how grateful I am to him. His actions personally affected my life in a very positive way. He protected me in so many ways I couldn't begin to name them. It is a great feeling when you know your attorney outmatches the other party's attorney and it is obvious.read more
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    Available 24/7. Cooper Elliott has been serving Columbus, Cincinnati, and communities throughout Ohio since 1995. We are honored to help people who have experienced life-changing harm achieve justice.