How to Help Framed Clients
It happens from time to time that the police will get the wrong person, and often, you have to wonder just how it happened.
In one recent case, a woman was pulled over for running a stop sign, only to end up behind bars for nearly two months because a former high school classmate used her name when she got busted for a DUI without ID, and then skipped bail. The unlucky woman not only had to prove her innocence, she missed the holiday season with her young son. Fortunately, it has been reported that several of the agencies involved have settled out the civil suit that followed the folly.
Mugshots and Booking Info
In a case of skipping bail on a fake identity, like the one above, booking information, including mugshots and fingerprints could be a real boon for proving your client isn't who the authorities say they are.
However, if the perpetrator looks close enough to your client, and their fingerprints are not easily distinguishable, you may need to seek out a forensic expert's help.
Proving an Alibi
When it comes to proving a frame up, if your client has a clear alibi, such as being in a completely different state on the day of the crime, get that smartphone geolocation data to prove it. It may be a somewhat costly endeavor to retain an expert to extract the data and translate it into usable exhibits, but it has the power to exonerate, especially when it's corroborated.
History of Identity Theft
If your wrongfully accused client has a history of being the victim of identity theft, that could help to explain why they might have gotten arrested unexpectedly, especially if the charges relate to an identity thief's illegal exploits.
Don't Let Them Plea
In many instances, if your client accepts a plea deal, it could significantly impact their ability to bring a subsequent civil rights action claiming wrongful arrest.
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