Harden Crichton, P.C. | Philadelphia Civil Rights Attorney | Pennsylvania Wrongful Conviction Lawyer
Juneteenth marks the moment in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans in Texas finally received word of their freedom. More than 160 years later, the struggle for equal justice in Pennsylvania remains unfinished. Across Philadelphia, Delaware County, and communities like Chester, Upper Darby, and Cheltenham, people continue to face civil rights violations, wrongful convictions, and systemic failures that strip them of their freedom, dignity, and legal protections. If you or a loved one has experienced a civil rights violation or the consequences of a wrongful conviction in Pennsylvania, Harden Crichton, P.C. is ready to fight for you.
Call Harden Crichton, P.C. at 215-798-7341or complete the online contact form today to schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia civil rights attorney. There are no upfront fees, and the firm takes cases on a contingency basis.
Civil Rights Violations in Pennsylvania: What Rights Are Protected Under Federal and State Law?
The right to be free from unconstitutional government conduct is a legal guarantee, not a privilege. Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, any person whose constitutional rights have been violated by a government official acting under the color of law may bring a federal civil rights claim. In Pennsylvania, this statute has been used to pursue accountability for excessive force, unlawful arrests, illegal searches, and racial discrimination by law enforcement.
Pennsylvania also provides protections under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and other protected classes in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Common civil rights violations that Harden Crichton, P.C. handles include:
- Excessive force by police officers: Physical harm inflicted during an arrest or detention that exceeds what the circumstances reasonably required
- Unlawful stops and searches: Stops, searches, or seizures conducted without probable cause or a valid warrant
- False arrest and wrongful detention: Being held in custody without legal justification
- Racial profiling: Being targeted by law enforcement based on race rather than conduct
- Violation of due process rights: Government action that deprives someone of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures
Civil rights cases require an attorney who understands both the law and the tactics government defendants use to defend themselves. Kevin Harden, Jr. began his career as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where he served on an acclaimed organized crime task force and prosecuted cases involving non-fatal shootings by members of the Philadelphia Police Department. He later represented corporations in sensitive federal investigations at a national law firm. That background means Harden Crichton, P.C. understands how the other side builds its defense and where accountability gaps can be exposed.
Wrongful Conviction in Pennsylvania: How Does an Innocent Person End Up Behind Bars?
Wrongful convictions are not isolated failures. They are the documented product of identifiable causes that have sent innocent people to prison in Pennsylvania and across the country. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 3,831 people in the United States have been exonerated since 1989, losing more than 35,913 years to wrongful imprisonment. Pennsylvania has seen these cases firsthand, and the human cost is incalculable.
The most recognized contributing factors in wrongful conviction cases include:
- Eyewitness misidentification: Memory is fallible under stress, and cross-racial identifications carry documented error rates that courts continue to grapple with
- False confessions: Prolonged interrogation and psychological pressure can cause innocent people to confess to crimes they did not commit
- Discredited forensic evidence: Methods once accepted in Pennsylvania courtrooms, including bite mark analysis and certain hair comparison techniques, have since been challenged by the scientific community
- Brady violations: When prosecutors withhold exculpatory evidence, the defendant is denied a fair trial and the truth is suppressed
- Ineffective assistance of counsel: When defense attorneys fail to investigate or adequately prepare, innocent clients can lose in ways that take years to unwind
These failures do not happen in the abstract. They happen in courtrooms across Philadelphia County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County. They happen to real people and their families in Darby, Yeadon, Media, and Glenolden who trusted a system that let them down.
Pennsylvania law provides avenues for post-conviction relief through the Post Conviction Relief Act, codified at 42 Pa.C.S. sections 9541 through 9546. The PCRA allows individuals to challenge convictions based on newly discovered evidence, constitutional violations, or ineffective assistance of counsel. Petitions must generally be filed within one year of the date a judgment of sentence becomes final. Narrow exceptions exist, including where the facts underlying the claim were unknown and could not have been discovered through due diligence, but any petition invoking an exception must itself be filed within one year of the date the claim could first have been presented. Acting quickly is critical.
The Legacy of Juneteenth and the Ongoing Fight for Equal Justice in Philadelphia and Beyond
Juneteenth is a day of celebration and a call to accountability. It is a reminder that freedom delayed is freedom denied, and that the pursuit of equal justice demands persistence, preparation, and a genuine commitment to the communities most affected by systemic failure.
Neighborhoods in West Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, Chester, and across Delaware County have carried this history and continue to experience its modern echoes in encounters with law enforcement, in the criminal courts, and in the civil legal system. Harden Crichton, P.C. was built by attorneys who are from this community and who understand that practicing law here means something beyond winning cases.
Kevin Harden, Jr. is a Past-President of the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia and serves as a Director of the Defender Association of Philadelphia and the Urban Affairs Coalition. Troy R. Crichton is a Director of Uplift Solutions and is active with the Boys and Girls Club of America in Chester and the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia. These commitments are not ceremonial. They reflect the authentic community connection that defines how this firm works.
Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Rights and Wrongful Conviction in Pennsylvania
What qualifies as a civil rights violation in Pennsylvania?
A civil rights violation generally occurs when a government official, such as a law enforcement officer, infringes on a right secured by the United States Constitution or federal law. Pennsylvania residents may pursue claims when those rights are violated by someone acting under the color of law. The specific facts of each situation determine whether a viable claim exists.
Can a wrongfully convicted person sue in Pennsylvania?
Yes. A person who has been exonerated after a wrongful conviction in Pennsylvania may have grounds to pursue civil claims for damages depending on the specific circumstances, including whether prosecutorial misconduct, police misconduct, or other constitutional violations contributed to the conviction.
What is the Post Conviction Relief Act in Pennsylvania?
The PCRA is Pennsylvania's primary statutory mechanism for challenging a wrongful conviction after direct appeals have been exhausted. It allows individuals to raise newly discovered evidence, claims of ineffective counsel, and constitutional violations. Petitions generally must be filed within one year of a conviction becoming final, with limited exceptions.
Does Harden Crichton, P.C. handle civil rights and wrongful conviction cases in Delaware County and Montgomery County?
Yes. Harden Crichton represents clients throughout Philadelphia, Delaware County, and Montgomery County, including communities in Chester, Media, Upper Darby, Cheltenham, Darby, Yeadon, Glenolden, and Brookhaven.
If Your Civil Rights Were Violated or a Loved One Was Wrongfully Convicted, Harden Crichton Is Here to Help
The legacy of Juneteenth is a call to keep fighting. The pursuit of equal justice in Pennsylvania is not a historical footnote. It is a daily reality for the families this firm represents, and it is taken seriously at every stage of every case.
Harden Crichton, P.C. has recovered over $100 million for clients across Pennsylvania and brings 33 years of combined legal experience to civil rights matters, wrongful conviction cases, and catastrophic personal injury claims. The firm is home-grown, community-connected, and relentlessly prepared for every case it takes.
If you or someone you love has experienced a civil rights violation or is dealing with the aftermath of a wrongful conviction in Philadelphia, Delaware County, or the surrounding region, do not wait to get legal guidance. Call Harden Crichton, P.C. at 215-798-7341 or fill out the online contact form to schedule your free consultation. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront attorney fees and no costs unless the firm secures compensation on your behalf.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.