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: 7
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Years lost Age Race Sex Posting Date
Flood, Floyd Illinois St. Clair 1924 1926 Robbery 10 years to life 1.1 24 White Male 03-13-2018
Harpstrite, Valentine Illinois St. Clair 1929 1968 Murder Life 20.1 24 White Male 03-13-2018
Harris, Keith Illinois St. Clair 1979 2003 Attempted Murder 50 years 22.0 19 Black Male 08-29-2011
Kitterman, Shane Illinois St. Clair 2013 2018 Sex Offender Registration Probation 0 34 Black Male 03-18-2019
Lawson, Carl Illinois St. Clair 1990 1996 Murder Death 6.2 23 Black Male 08-29-2011
Nelson, Terry Lee Illinois St. Clair 1989 1994 Murder 40 years 0 37 White Male 08-29-2011
Woidtke, Rodney Illinois St. Clair 1989 2001 Murder 45 years 11.6 27 White Male 08-29-2011