Instructions for Using the Registry

The table below shows all individual exonerations. By default, the table is set to show exonerations from 1989 through the present. Check "Pre-1989" in the Exoneration Era filter to view Pre-1989 exonerations. Use the filters on the left to search for exonerations with particular criteria. Hover over the symbols for explanations of filters or columns. Use the Keyword Search box to filter for cases that contain those keywords in the narrative summary.

If multiple keywords are entered, the search will show cases in which the narrative contains ALL of those words. So adding more search terms will narrow the search. Terms with fewer than three characters (e.g., "IQ") are ignored in searches. Searches can be further narrowed by using "quotation marks" to search for exact phrases. Keywords both inside and outside quotation marks can be combined. And, truncated words can be entered: the term "discrim" will return all variants on that root. No "wildcards," such as "*" are necessary for truncation.

Since the table is filtered to 1989 through the present by default, a search for the name of someone who was exonerated before 1989 will not produce results until the Date of Exoneration is adjusted, or the Pre-1989 filter is selected.

Once filters have been set, select the column headings you wish to display, and sort the table by whatever column heading you choose by clicking on the column heading. For more detailed instructions, see Understanding the Registry, under "About" at the top right of the Home Page.

Note: 1989 was the year of the first DNA exoneration and the dawn of a new era of wrongful convictions. The Registry used to separate the two - pre and post 1989 exonerations - into two separate and distinct databases. They are now synthesized to reflect the entire body of exoneration data. If you wish to view exonerations prior to 1989, check "Pre-1989" in the Exoneration Era filter.

Read Less
Total records: 211
Export More Data
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Wells, Keith Texas Johnson 1998 2018 Child Sex Abuse 4 years 2.9 17 Black Male 08-07-2018
Wheeler-Whichard, Jonathan New York Kings 1997 2009 Murder 25 to Life 0.1 16 Black Male 08-29-2011
White, Lionel Jr. Illinois Cook 2006 2017 Drug Possession or Sale Probation 0 17 Black Male 11-28-2018
Williams, Michael Anthony Louisiana Jackson 1981 2005 Sexual Assault Life without parole 23.8 16 Black Male 08-29-2011
Williams, Octavius Ohio Cuyahoga 2011 2024 Attempted Murder 15 years 8.5 17 Black Male 06-26-2024
Wilson, Sharrif New York Kings 1994 2014 Murder 9 to Life 20.0 15 Black Male 02-11-2014
Winfrey, Megan Texas San Jacinto 2008 2013 Murder Life 4.5 16 White Female 04-18-2013
Winston, J'Avarus Texas Harris 2015 2016 Drug Possession or Sale Probation 0 17 Black Male 05-31-2016
Wise, Korey New York New York 1990 2002 Sexual Assault 5 to 15 years 11.7 16 Black Male 08-29-2011
Wright, David Illinois Cook 1996 2023 Murder Life without parole 25.9 17 Black Male 04-20-2023
Young, Paul Michigan Wayne 1987 2021 Murder Life without parole 31.8 17 Black Male 01-24-2022