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 ANY of those words. 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: 14
Select More Columns:
Name State County Convicted Exonerated Crime Sentence Term of Years Years lost Age Race Sex Year of recantation Date of Release Posting Date
Allen, Ryan Washington Thurston 2008 2012 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 2 years and 6 months 1 30 White Male 2009 07-31-2017
Canter, Mark Michigan Otsego 1988 1996 Accessory to Murder Life 7 22 White Male 1989 1996 08-29-2011
Dean, James Nebraska Gage 1989 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 10 years 5 20 White Male 2008 1994 08-29-2011
Golding, Jerry Fed-VA (Eastern) 1998 1999 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 3 years and 1 month 1 43 White Male 1999 08-29-2011
Hebrard, Alexander Texas Harris 2011 2013 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 4 years 2 25 White Male 2013 07-25-2013
Heistand, Donald Michigan Otsego 1989 2002 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 3 to 5 years 2 29 White Male 1995 1991 01-19-2012
Hill, Benjamin Minnesota Ramsey 2013 2018 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 5 years 3 30 White Male 2016 03-30-2022
Miller, Joel Fed-CA (Central) 2012 2014 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 2 years 1 35 White Male 2013 12-19-2014
Peterson, Nicholas Minnesota Mille Lacs 2012 2021 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 4 years 2 25 White Male 2014 07-07-2022
Reno, Ronald California Fresno 1997 2002 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 25 to Life 5 32 White Male 2002 08-29-2011
Shelden, Debra Nebraska Gage 1989 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 10 years 5 26 White Female 2008 1994 08-29-2011
Smigielski, Amy Massachusetts Hampden 2009 2012 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 1 year and 6 months 1 37 White Female 2011 11-06-2017
Wilson, Edwin Fed-VA (Eastern) 1983 2004 Weapon Possession or Sale Term of Years 17 years 21 49 White Male 2004 08-29-2011
Winslow, Thomas Nebraska Gage 1990 2009 Accessory to Murder Term of Years 50 years 18 19 White Male 2008 2008 08-29-2011