The case of Steven Phillips, a man who spent 24 years behind bars for crimes he didn’t commit, is a strange one. Thanks to DNA evidence, his name was cleared and he rightfully received substantial compensation for his wrongful imprisonment. But then came a plot twist: his ex-wife sued him because she felt entitled to a share of that money.
Throw in a claim from his former attorney, and Phillips’ newfound freedom turned into a courtroom encore.
The long road from prison to payday
In 1982, Steven Phillips was convicted of a series of sexual assault and burglary in Texas. Despite his steadfast claims of innocence, he was sentenced to serve decades behind bars. For over two decades, Phillips endured the harsh reality of prison life, indignant that justice had failed him.
In 2008, DNA testing plus further investigation proved what Phillips had been saying all along: he was innocent. When the real perpetrator was identified, Phillips was released and the state of Texas awarded him $6 million in compensation for his unjust incarceration.
But that was not the end of his legal troubles, because his ex-wife and former lawyer had other plans.
From “better half” to “better give me half”
Enter Traci Tucker, formerly Tracy Phillips, Steven’s ex-wife. The two had been married for just under two years when he was imprisoned; their divorce was finalized long before Steven’s exoneration. Yet, Traci filed a lawsuit, arguing that she was entitled to half of the compensation he received. She reasoned that the years Steven spent in prison overlapped with their marriage, and his compensation was partly for the “loss of enjoyment” of those years.
Her argument is certainly a head-scratcher. After all, Steven’s time in prison wasn’t exactly a joint venture between them. Nonetheless, Traci’s claim made its way into court, and Steven had to defend his hard-earned compensation.
Lawyer fees or legal squeeze?
Adding another layer to this legal soap opera, an attorney also billed Phillips for more than a million dollars of additional fees. This lawyer had represented Steven during his compensation claim and felt he deserved a larger slice of the pie.
While attorneys are entitled to fair compensation for their work, the timing and optics of this lawsuit raised eyebrows (ours included). After spending 24 years fighting for justice, Phillips was now fighting to keep what he had won. Turns out freedom isn’t free, especially when legal fees are involved.
Not today, ex
In 2014, a Texas appeals court ruled against Traci. The court found that Steven’s compensation was personal to him and not subject to division as marital property. In other words, the payout was to compensate Steven for his wrongful imprisonment — a hardship he endured alone. The decision set a clear precedent that such compensation is not community property under Texas law. Sorry, Traci, but this jackpot wasn’t a joint account.
As for the lawyer’s claim, it too was resolved in Steven’s favor. Although attorneys play a crucial role in securing justice, the court ruled that the lawyer’s compensation had already been adequately addressed. It goes to show that there’s a limit to how much legal bills can stretch, even in Texas.
It’s not “just” just compensation
Steven Phillips’ story is one of resilience, justice, and a bit of courtroom drama. It highlights the complexities of wrongful imprisonment compensation as well as the importance of understanding how the law views such payouts. In family law, courts generally aim to divide marital property equitably, but as this case shows, not everything is up for grabs. In the end, Phillips was able to keep his compensation, a small but meaningful victory after decades of injustice.
This case serves as a reminder that family law disputes can be anything but straightforward. Whether it’s dividing assets, navigating custody agreements, or dealing with unique claims, having an experienced legal team is essential. You don’t want to star in a courtroom drama alone.
If you’re dealing with tricky family law matters, attorneys LaGrandeur & Williams are here to help. We can guide you through whatever legal challenges come your way. Contact us for a free case evaluation.