Falsified Drug Lab Results Can Lead to Wrongful Convictions

 Posted on September 15, 2025 in Drug Charges

In many criminal cases, defendants may feel like they are fighting an uphill battle against a system that is designed to secure convictions regardless of whether a person is guilty or innocent. Defending against criminal charges can be difficult enough even when a person is treated fairly, but far too often, defendants’ rights are violated by illegal or unethical practices. This includes a large number of drug crime cases in which people have been wrongfully convicted based on results from lab tests that were later found to be falsified.

People who are facing criminal charges may not be fully aware of the procedures followed by law enforcement, the evidence involved in their cases, and their options for defense. Representation from a skilled and experienced attorney is crucial in criminal defense cases to ensure that a person’s rights will be protected. A lawyer can take steps to address these issues effectively while defending against a conviction.

Thousands of Convictions Have Been Based on Falsified Lab Test Results

In recent years, multiple scandals have been uncovered in which defendants have been convicted based on fraudulent work by labs used to test drugs. One of the most prominent of these scandals involved Annie Dookhan, a chemist who worked in a state crime lab in Massachusetts. In 2012, she admitted to falsifying the results of drug tests during the nine years she worked at the lab. Based on her work, which included testifying in court to discuss the results of lab testing, numerous people were convicted of drug offenses. Her work may have played a role in as many as 34,000 cases.

This is far from the only case in which criminal convictions have relied upon lab work that was faulty or fraudulent. In a similar case in New Jersey, a lab technician was found to have falsified results when testing drugs in criminal cases, and his work may have affected nearly 8,000 cases. 

This misconduct can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the lives of defendants and their families for years. People who are wrongfully convicted may be required to serve sentences in prison, pay large fines, and be subject to strict limitations during periods of probation. They will also have criminal records that may limit their job opportunities and their ability to find housing. In some cases, immigrants have been deported based on wrongful convictions, and even after they have been exonerated, they have struggled to return to the United States and reunite with their families.

When addressing the cases affected by Ms. Dookhan’s work, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued on behalf of defendants who had been wrongfully convicted. The ACLU attempted to have courts dismiss all cases and vacate all convictions involving falsified lab results. The court declined to do so, but it did allow defendants to seek new trials. 

This highlights the importance of working with an attorney who understands the ways drug testing can affect criminal cases and knows how to challenge evidence that may be falsified or inconclusive. With effective legal representation, defendants can make sure their rights will be protected as they address criminal charges. A skilled attorney can also help people who have been wrongfully convicted take steps to demonstrate their innocence.

Contact Our Connecticut Drug Crime Defense Lawyers

At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our lawyers have a strong understanding of the ways that laboratory tests and other forms of evidence can affect criminal cases. We can help our clients address these issues when defending against drug crimes or other criminal charges, and we can also work to exonerate people who have been wrongfully convicted based on falsified evidence. To arrange a free consultation, contact our Hartford criminal defense attorneys at 860-290-8690.