Substantial Civil Settlement For Wrongful Conviction
If a defendant is wrongfully charged and the police or prosecutor brought charges without the intent to seek justice, they might be owed compensation and damages.
Recovery of Substantial Cash Settlement for Wrongfully Prosecuted Client
On Feb. 24, 2011, Loren Dickstein with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. achieved a substantial malicious prosecution financial settlement on behalf of his client, who was wrongfully charged and prosecuted for multiple counts of First Degree Murder, Arson, Home Invasion, Felony Firearm, and a host of other charges. Criminal Defense Attorney Loren Dickstein was privately retained to represent his client, who was charged in Wayne County. He was later retained to handle the civil claim. The lawsuit was based on various claims, including false arrest and imprisonment.
After 10 months of an epic battle with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and a multi-jurisdictional major crimes task force (AKA Downriver Major Crimes Taskforce), all charges against the client were outright dismissed. Instead of taking full responsibility for the multitude of errors in the investigation, police maintained a position that the client and his co-defendants were still somehow involved in the crimes even though another individual had been caught, charged, convicted, and confessed. Despite this claim and their denial of culpability, the law enforcement agencies ultimately agreed to pay Dickstein’s client and the other claimants a substantial settlement for malicious prosecution.
What does the plaintiff have to prove for Malicious Prosecution in Michigan?
In an action for malicious prosecution, the plaintiff has the burden of proving:
- that the defendant has initiated a criminal prosecution against him,
- that the criminal proceedings terminated in his favor,
- that the private person who instituted or maintained the prosecution lacked probable cause for his action, and
- that the action was undertaken with malice or a purpose in instituting the criminal claim other than bringing the offender to justice.
If the plaintiff has substantial evidence and highly respected and influential lawyers, there is a substantial likelihood of a financial settlement for a malicious prosecution claim.
Other Possible Causes of Action That Might Result in a Settlement for Malicious Prosecution
Abuse of Process
In an action for abuse of process, a plaintiff must plead and prove:
- (1) an ulterior purpose, and
- (2) an act in the use of the process that is improper in the regular prosecution of the proceeding.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
- (1) extreme and outrageous conduct,
- (2) intent or recklessness,
- (3) causation, and
- (4) severe emotional distress.
“Why should police sometimes be held liable for violating someone’s civil rights?”
Police officers should be held liable for damages when they violate someone’s civil rights because they are sworn to uphold and protect all United States citizens’ laws and constitutional rights. When a police officer engages in outlaw behavior that violates an individual’s civil rights, such as excessive use of force, false arrest, or racial profiling, they are acting outside the bounds of their authority and causing harm to civilians. Holding police officers liable for civil rights violations serves several important purposes:
- Deterrence: Holding police officers accountable for their actions can deter them from engaging in similar behavior in the future, thereby protecting the rights of other citizens.
- Restoration of justice: Liability for civil rights violations can help restore justice to the victims of police misconduct by compensating them for their damages and providing a measure of accountability.
- Protection of constitutional rights: Holding police officers liable for civil rights violations helps ensure that all citizens’ constitutional rights are protected, thereby promoting the rule of law and the stability of society.
- Improvement of police practices: Liability for civil rights violations can lead to changes in police practices, such as better training and revised policies and procedures, which can improve the overall quality of police services.
It is important to note that while police officers have a difficult and dangerous job, they are still held to a high standard of conduct and must act within the bounds of the law. Holding law enforcement officers liable for civil rights violations serves to hold them accountable for their actions and maintain the criminal justice system’s integrity.
Aggressive and Effective Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys Who Achieve Huge Settlements for Malicious Prosecution Cases
The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. will do whatever it takes to give our clients the greatest possible advantage in court. We will honestly and genuinely fight to win at every step of the process. Our clients hire LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. because they take their defense seriously, want everything reasonably possible done to protect and defend them, and want attorneys who are honest and who will tell them the truth, good and bad, about their case and potential defenses. If our clients are wrongfully charged, we will attempt to get a settlement for malicious prosecution when such a claims appear viable.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
Related posts:
Even in the American Criminal Justice System Innocent Defendants Risk Being Wrongfully Convicted 
What Do I Do If I’m Wrongfully Accused of a Crime? Why should someone hire a lawyer if they are only under investigation but not yet charged? 
What should a Michigan Criminal Attorney do to help their client?
