The Case of Javon Patterson

Approximately twelve individuals in the history of Illinois have been able to successfully meet the burden necessary to obtain a Certificate of Innocence from the Circuit Court based on a wrongful conviction, and Javon Patterson is one of them.

The State charged and convicted Javon Patterson as an armed habitual Criminal. The trial Judge sentenced Javon to six-years in prison. The Appellate Court reversed Javon's conviction on the basis that the police arrested him without probable cause.

While it is true that the Harvey Police Department did not have probable cause, there was another issue: Javon is innocent.

In October 2009, attorneys Robert M. Stephenson and Holly Blaine filed a Petition for a Certificate of Innocence on behalf of Javon Patterson. The petition alleged that the Harvey Police and Mayor framed Javon Patterson because they believed he knew the whereabouts of cocaine that had been stolen ... from the Police and Mayor.

The aforementioned petition was, as is required, served on both the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and the Office of the Attorney General. On January 13, 2010, the State's Attorney's Office informed the circuit court that they had no objection to the petition. The Attorney General remained completely silent.

On that same day the trial judge granted the petition and signed an order finding Javon Patterson innocent of all charges.

You can read the entire petition by clicking on the link below.

Additional Documents

Read the Court of Claims Order awarded Javon Patterson $85,350.00. April 20, 2010

Read the Federal Civil Rights Suit Filed March 5, 2010

Read the Order Granting Javon Patterson a Certificate of Innocence

Read the Petition for Certificate of Innocence

Read the March 11, 2010. Chicago Tribune: Lawsuit: Harvey Mayor, Cop Threatened Murder Frame-Up.

p. 708.434.1267
f. 708.406.1527

EMAIL: Robert M. Stephenson

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