Scott Peterson became one of the most recognizable names in American criminal history after his 2004 conviction for the murders of his wife Laci and their unborn son Conner.
The disappearance of Laci on Christmas Eve 2002, followed by the discovery of her and Conner in San Francisco Bay months later, triggered a media frenzy.
His affair, shifting alibis, and circumstantial evidence led to his conviction and death sentence.
That death sentence was overturned in 2020, and a resentencing in 2021 gave him life without parole at Mule Creek State Prison.
How the Innocence Project Entered the Picture
The Los Angeles Innocence Project took on Peterson’s case in 2024. Attorneys argued that crucial evidence had been ignored, scientific claims about fetal development were flawed, and multiple witness accounts pointing to Laci being alive after Peterson’s fishing trip had been dismissed.
In April 2025, they filed a 400-page petition presenting new arguments and requesting advanced DNA testing.
By June 2025, the California appeals court rejected most claims but left one path open, the allegation of juror misconduct. That single surviving issue means Peterson still has a narrow chance of reopening his case.
The Innocence Project continues to push for more DNA testing, new forensic analysis, and closer review of how investigators handled the original crime scene.
California Statutory Compensation for Exonerees
If Peterson were exonerated, state law under Penal Code 4900 would guarantee financial redress. California awards $140 for every day of wrongful imprisonment, plus a 1000 dollar release payment and access to transitional services.
Since April 2003, Peterson has spent roughly 8030 days in custody. Multiplied by the state rate, that equals about 1.124 million dollars, with the additional release payment bringing the statutory award to around 1.125 million dollars.
Lawsuits and the Prospect of Bigger Settlements
Beyond state compensation, exonerees often file lawsuits against authorities responsible for their convictions.
In Peterson’s case, potential claims could target Stanislaus County officials and Modesto police for alleged mishandled evidence, reliance on circumstantial testimony, and failure to follow up on witness reports.
Comparable cases highlight the range of payouts:
- Bruce Lisker served 26 years before securing $7.6 million from Los Angeles.
- Craig Coley spent nearly 39 years imprisoned and received 1.96 million dollars from the state and a 21 million dollar settlement from Simi Valley.
- In 2019, Stanislaus County itself paid 22.5 million dollars in a malicious prosecution settlement involving attorney Frank Carson.
Based on those figures, a realistic settlement for Peterson could range from 8 to 12 million dollars if courts agree his conviction stemmed from serious misconduct.
Adding Up the Potential Compensation
- State payout: about 1.125 million dollars
- Possible lawsuit settlement: around 10 million dollars
- Combined total: roughly 11.125 million dollars
Lawyers would claim a significant portion, usually 25 to 40 percent, and some state payouts can be reduced if overlapping settlements occur.
Even with those deductions, Peterson could walk away with millions if his conviction were overturned.
Chances of Seeing Him Free Are Quite Slim
Scott Peterson has almost no realistic path out of prison right now. The Innocence Project pushed forward with new evidence and arguments, but the appeals court dismissed nearly all of them.
Only one claim about juror misconduct remains, and even that would most likely lead to a new trial rather than his release. After more than twenty years, convictions at this level almost never collapse.
The honest truth is that the chances of seeing him free are quite low.
Looking Ahead
For now, Peterson remains in Mule Creek State Prison serving life without parole. The Innocence Project is banking on fresh DNA testing, new science, and overlooked witnesses to create a breakthrough.
If the breakthrough arrives, Peterson could become one of the most expensive wrongful conviction cases in California history, with total payouts climbing above 11 million dollars.
