Legal Commentary

FL Supreme Court Appoints Former Judge to Head Innocence Commission

By Jeralyn

Two weeks ago, the Florida Supreme Court ordered the formation of an official Innocence Commission. From the Administrative Order:

NOW, THEREFORE, the Florida Innocence Commission is hereby established to conduct a comprehensive study of the causes of wrongful conviction and of measures to prevent such convictions. In conducting its work, the Commission may review individual cases involving a wrongful conviction where innocence has already been officially acknowledged, to determine the cause of these wrongful convictions. Such review may include the examination of documents and the interview of individuals involved in the cases. However, unproven innocence claims will not be reviewed.

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The Commission may hold public meetings, review existing research, contract for new research, and solicit comment from scholars, judges, state attorneys, law enforcement, private defense attorneys, public defenders, elected officials, victims’ organizations, and members of the public.

Some history, via the Supreme Court:

Earlier, a group of Florida lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court to create an Innocence Commission. In March 2010, the Court Denied the petition. A related letter to Sen. Mike Haridopolis was released. On May 24, 2010, the Court advertised for the position of Executive Director of the Commission.

Today the Court named former Judge Lester Garringer to head the commission.

[hat tip to The Innocence Project on Twitter.]

Full post as published by TalkLeft on July 14, 2010 (boomark / email).