Can I sue if I was found innocent of a crime?
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Can I sue if I was found innocent of a crime?
Asked on January 15, 2014 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
Almost certainly not: the authorities (e.g. the prosecutor or DA; the police officers) would only potentially be liable in the very unlikely event that you could show that they *knew* that what they were doing was wrong--for example, they knew you were innocent or that the evidence was false--but they went ahead and prosecuted you anyway. Merely showing that they could not prove you guilty (and remember: you are *not* found innocent; you are found "not guilty" which only means that the authorities could not prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt) does not make them liable or give you a viable lawsuit.
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