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Being wrongfully accused of something is infuriating, but when you’re also arrested for it, the system might completely consume your life.
Reddit user AnonymousMeese claims they have experienced a nightmare of bureaucratic injustice reminiscent of Franz Kafka’s The Trial.
Supposedly, they had to spend almost two months in jail before finally being acquitted, but the fallout continued—financial strain and damaged personal relationships were tearing them apart.
Ultimately, the detective in charge of their case showed up at their door, but as it turned out, only to protect his own reputation.
RELATED:
This person says they were locked up for a crime they didn’t commit
Image credits: Drazen Zigic (not the actual image)
And it pretty much destroyed their life
Image credits: New Africa (not the actual image)
Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)
Image credits: AnonymousMeese
Being wrongfully arrested isn’t just about spending a month or two in another bed
Such mistakes can happen for a variety of reasons, and their prevalence might differ from place to place, but a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2017 analyzed 714 felony convictions from the 1970s and 1980s across 56 Virginia circuit courts and estimated that 11.6% of these convictions were wrongful, based on forensic, case-processing, and disposition data.
Some of the factors leading to wrongful convictions include mistaken eyewitness identifications, inadequate legal representation, and errors in forensic evidence handling.
In 2020, researchers Samantha K. Brooks and Neil Greenberg conducted a systematic literature review to examine the psychological and psychosocial impacts of being wrongfully accused of criminal offenses. They analyzed 20 relevant studies and revealed eight primary themes of consequences:
- Loss of identity (people may see you as a criminal even after you’re cleared);
- Stigma (being judged, shunned, or mistrusted by society, friends, or coworkers);
- Psychological and physical health issues (anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep problems, chronic stress);
- Relationships with others (social isolation, strained or broken friendships, family conflict);
- Attitudes towards the justice system (loss of trust in law enforcement or courts, feeling small and powerless);
- Impact on finances and employment (job loss, difficulty finding work, financial insecurity);
- Traumatic experiences in custody (psychological trauma from jail, harassment, or poor treatment while detained);
- Adjustment difficulties post-accusation (trouble reintegrating, coping with ongoing fear, or dealing with public perception).
It’s a bit weird that the Redditor didn’t share the website in question, since the whole point of it was to tell the broader public about what happened to them, but if we were to assume that they’re being truthful, it’s likely that they’re still working through the aftermath and may need more time and support to fully put the experience behind them.
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle (not the actual image)
People who read the story think its author needs to stand their ground
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What do you think ?
Mel in Georgia 3 months ago
The reason this guy was exonerated is because he was able to afford (barely) a competent attorney. Our son was arrested on a dubious charge (not completely innocent, but the circumstances were sketchy) and because we could afford a good attorney he got off with probation and because he was a minor we were able to eventually expunge his record. He paid a price, both financially and practically. Thankfully, he's doing well now. But visiting your kid in jail is a sorrow I wish on no one - and all the people we saw there - mostly poor and unable to afford good legal counsel ... heartbreaking. There is no equality in justice.
Sue User 3 months ago
The poor plead out on charges. They hit them with every little charge, then offer to reduce to original charge with a guilty plea. People want to get out quickly so they dont loose working/ get evicted/ loose their kuds/ loose their belongings. Thibk about this next time you hear " they signed a document saying they are guilty".
Load More Replies...
Scott Rackley 3 months ago
As long as anything presented as fact is factual, and opinions are clearly stated as opinions, Detective Drebin can pound sand.
Lyone Fein 3 months ago
This man should pursue any and all legal channels to receive appropriate compensation for the financial and emotional damages caused by the police.
Toothless Feline 3 months ago
Police need to be held accountable for ruining innocent people’s lives in this manner. It’s essentially criminal negligence and incompetence, and nothing ever happens to them because arresting and convicting *somebody* is more important than making sure you have the *actual* perpetrator, so cops are absolved of responsibility. It’s a horribly twisted approach to justice, and it needs to change. But it probably never will.
Lil be lil 3 months ago
I have been dealing with the consequences of being profiled by proxy for more than 20 years. This is a case of police can't ever be wrong. I am even being publicly accused and gossiped about. The one that is doing this claims that I don't "cooperate with police' I showed a letter that proves that their perception of me is Wrong. The letter is dismissed. If the letter and other supporting documents are fake why don't they arrest me for fraud? I have not been arrested because they have nothing to arrest me on! This harassment has continued regardless. My story: Profiledbyproxygp.wordpress.com if you read my story you will understand why I am terrified under this administration.
Earonn - 3 months ago
Something similar happened to an ex of mine. One Sunday morning police is standing at the front door, asking for him. I feared something had happened to his parents, but they wouldn't even tell me something like "everyone's fine". Long story short: someone had seen him and thought he looked like a guy on a "wanted" poster. Fair enough, and I'm glad that person did their duty as a citizen. But the contemptuous behaviour of the officers was nasty - and pathetic. I did an apprenticeship in a legal profession, so they didn't intimidate me, and clearly they didn't like that. German police, they think you should bow to them at all times.
SheamusFanFrom1987 3 months ago (edited)
OP went through a harrowing ordeal, and the gross gump-shoe could only offer an equally gross "apology" in return for a major ask??? HELL NO!!! It's because of gump-shoe's negligence that OP's reputation and bank account took a nosedive, shoddy work at it's finest!!! OP cannot be threatened with defamation and is right to keep his website up to remind the gump-shoe and goonies that false accusations and subsequent mis-actions have severe consequences. As for his equally gross "friends" thinking he's spiteful, see how they like it when they are slapped with c*o*c*k-a-mamie legal charges that would drain them of reputation, money, and energy for a good few years!!! SMH!!! >:-(
David 3 months ago
BTW you can sue police. Qualified Immunity only applies when "good faith" was in action. A judge decided when you file a suit if it was under those conditions and dismisses the case, or decides if it can go forward to a jury bc they feel the police broke the good faith conditions. It all depends on the judge you got and your states definition of good faith.
Uncle Panda 3 months ago
The way to reform this is for the detective to be required to serve the full, maximum sentence that OP would have received if convicted on all of the false charges. No appeal, no buyouts. You're walking the path you carelessly laid down for somebody else.
Petra Peitsch 3 months ago
Okay, normally, I'm not the one stating, how old a re-post is here on BP. But this is a 6 years old post, wigth a very specific USA-like problem. It's noz bd posting almost decade old stories here from Reddit. But just, when these kind of stories are coming with some kind of closures ... after 6 years ... So BORED PANDA, this time, you really FCKED UP!.
Nils Skirnir 3 months ago
Unless it is a really noteworthy case and they identify it as old, I agree.
Load More Replies...
Mel in Georgia 3 months ago
The reason this guy was exonerated is because he was able to afford (barely) a competent attorney. Our son was arrested on a dubious charge (not completely innocent, but the circumstances were sketchy) and because we could afford a good attorney he got off with probation and because he was a minor we were able to eventually expunge his record. He paid a price, both financially and practically. Thankfully, he's doing well now. But visiting your kid in jail is a sorrow I wish on no one - and all the people we saw there - mostly poor and unable to afford good legal counsel ... heartbreaking. There is no equality in justice.
Sue User 3 months ago
The poor plead out on charges. They hit them with every little charge, then offer to reduce to original charge with a guilty plea. People want to get out quickly so they dont loose working/ get evicted/ loose their kuds/ loose their belongings. Thibk about this next time you hear " they signed a document saying they are guilty".
Load More Replies... Scott Rackley 3 months ago
As long as anything presented as fact is factual, and opinions are clearly stated as opinions, Detective Drebin can pound sand.
Lyone Fein 3 months ago
This man should pursue any and all legal channels to receive appropriate compensation for the financial and emotional damages caused by the police.
Toothless Feline 3 months ago
Police need to be held accountable for ruining innocent people’s lives in this manner. It’s essentially criminal negligence and incompetence, and nothing ever happens to them because arresting and convicting *somebody* is more important than making sure you have the *actual* perpetrator, so cops are absolved of responsibility. It’s a horribly twisted approach to justice, and it needs to change. But it probably never will.
Lil be lil 3 months ago
I have been dealing with the consequences of being profiled by proxy for more than 20 years. This is a case of police can't ever be wrong. I am even being publicly accused and gossiped about. The one that is doing this claims that I don't "cooperate with police' I showed a letter that proves that their perception of me is Wrong. The letter is dismissed. If the letter and other supporting documents are fake why don't they arrest me for fraud? I have not been arrested because they have nothing to arrest me on! This harassment has continued regardless. My story: Profiledbyproxygp.wordpress.com if you read my story you will understand why I am terrified under this administration.
Earonn - 3 months ago
Something similar happened to an ex of mine. One Sunday morning police is standing at the front door, asking for him. I feared something had happened to his parents, but they wouldn't even tell me something like "everyone's fine". Long story short: someone had seen him and thought he looked like a guy on a "wanted" poster. Fair enough, and I'm glad that person did their duty as a citizen. But the contemptuous behaviour of the officers was nasty - and pathetic. I did an apprenticeship in a legal profession, so they didn't intimidate me, and clearly they didn't like that. German police, they think you should bow to them at all times.
SheamusFanFrom1987 3 months ago (edited)
OP went through a harrowing ordeal, and the gross gump-shoe could only offer an equally gross "apology" in return for a major ask??? HELL NO!!! It's because of gump-shoe's negligence that OP's reputation and bank account took a nosedive, shoddy work at it's finest!!! OP cannot be threatened with defamation and is right to keep his website up to remind the gump-shoe and goonies that false accusations and subsequent mis-actions have severe consequences. As for his equally gross "friends" thinking he's spiteful, see how they like it when they are slapped with c*o*c*k-a-mamie legal charges that would drain them of reputation, money, and energy for a good few years!!! SMH!!! >:-(
David 3 months ago
BTW you can sue police. Qualified Immunity only applies when "good faith" was in action. A judge decided when you file a suit if it was under those conditions and dismisses the case, or decides if it can go forward to a jury bc they feel the police broke the good faith conditions. It all depends on the judge you got and your states definition of good faith.
Uncle Panda 3 months ago
The way to reform this is for the detective to be required to serve the full, maximum sentence that OP would have received if convicted on all of the false charges. No appeal, no buyouts. You're walking the path you carelessly laid down for somebody else.
Petra Peitsch 3 months ago
Okay, normally, I'm not the one stating, how old a re-post is here on BP. But this is a 6 years old post, wigth a very specific USA-like problem. It's noz bd posting almost decade old stories here from Reddit. But just, when these kind of stories are coming with some kind of closures ... after 6 years ... So BORED PANDA, this time, you really FCKED UP!.
Nils Skirnir 3 months ago
Unless it is a really noteworthy case and they identify it as old, I agree.
Load More Replies... 
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