S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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5344
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 16, 2011
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Introduced by M. of A. O'DONNELL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, in relation to creating the state
commission for the integrity of the criminal justice system, as an
independent agency, and providing for such commission's powers and
duties
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Article 23 and sections 860 and 861 of the judiciary law,
as renumbered by chapter 840 of the laws of 1983, are renumbered article
24 and sections 1000 and 1001 and a new article 23 is added to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 23
STATE COMMISSION FOR THE INTEGRITY
OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
SECTION 900. DEFINITION.
901. STATE COMMISSION FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
902. PURPOSE AND CONDUCT OF THE COMMISSION.
903. POWERS AND DUTIES.
904. USE OF REPORTS.
S 900. DEFINITION. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, "COMMISSION" SHALL MEAN
THE STATE COMMISSION FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION NINE HUNDRED ONE OF THIS ARTICLE.
S 901. STATE COMMISSION FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM. 1. THE STATE COMMISSION FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY OF THE
STATE. THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF TEN MEMBERS AS FOLLOWS:
(A) THE COMMISSIONER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES;
(B) FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, OF WHOM:
(I) ONE SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY,
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05755-01-1
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(II) ONE SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PUBLIC CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR
OR PRIVATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE RECOM-
MENDATION OF AN ORGANIZATION WITH MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DUES
PAYING MEMBERS REPRESENTING SUCH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE DEFENSE SERVICES,
(III) ONE SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF VICTIMS RIGHTS ADVOCACY OR
SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, AND
(IV) ONE SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE FIELD;
(C) A MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO SHALL BE A REPRE-
SENTATIVE OF PROSECUTION SERVICES;
(D) TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS,
OF WHOM:
(I) ONE SHALL BE A RETIRED JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A NEW YORK STATE COURT
OF RECORD, AND
(II) ONE SHALL BE A PROFESSOR OF LAW OR A RETIRED FULL TIME PROFESSOR
OF LAW WHO HAS TAUGHT LAW SCHOOL COURSES IN CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, OR EVIDENCE AT AN ACCREDITED POST-GRADU-
ATE COLLEGE IN NEW YORK STATE;
(E) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, WHO
SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC-AT-LARGE; AND
(F) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, WHO SHALL BE
A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC-AT-LARGE.
2. THE COMMISSIONER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES SHALL SERVE AN INDEF-
INITE TERM. THE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR SHALL SERVE A TERM OF
FOUR YEARS. THE RETIRED JUDGE OR JUSTICE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE
SHALL SERVE A TERM OF THREE YEARS. THE PROFESSOR OF LAW OR RETIRED
PROFESSOR OF LAW APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE SHALL SERVE A TERM OF TWO
YEARS. THE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH SERVE
A TERM OF TWO YEARS. EACH OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, EXCEPT THE
COMMISSIONER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, APPOINTED THEREAFTER SHALL
SERVE A TERM OF FIVE YEARS. EVERY VACANCY OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE EXPI-
RATION OF A MEMBER'S TERM SHALL BE FILLED FOR THE REMAINDER OF SUCH TERM
IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO SUCH TERM. UPON
THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, SUCH MEMBER
SHALL CONTINUE TO SERVE UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED.
3. THE COMMISSION SHALL ELECT A CHAIR FROM AMONGST ITS MEMBERS BY A
MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF.
4. NO MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING ANY
PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, NOR SHALL HE OR SHE FORFEIT ANY SUCH OFFICE
OR EMPLOYMENT, BY REASON OF HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE AND
FILE OATHS OF OFFICE BEFORE SERVING ON THE COMMISSION.
5. THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST FOUR TIMES EACH YEAR AT PREDE-
TERMINED TIMES AND LOCATIONS ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE, AND AT SUCH OTHER
TIMES AS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION OR FOUR OR MORE MEMBERS SHALL
DETERMINE TO BE NECESSARY.
6. FOR ANY ACTION AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE, FIVE MEMBERS OF THE
COMMISSION SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED
IN SUBDIVISIONS THREE AND FIVE OF THIS SECTION, THE CONCURRENCE OF SIX
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE NECESSARY.
7. THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL SERVE WITHOUT SALARY OR OTHER
COMPENSATION, BUT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE ACTUAL AND NECESSARY
EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES PURSUANT TO THIS
ARTICLE.
S 902. PURPOSE AND CONDUCT OF THE COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION SHALL
REVIEW ANY CRIMINAL OR JUVENILE CASE INVOLVING A WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND
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RECOMMEND REFORMS TO LESSEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF A SIMILAR WRONGFUL
CONVICTION OCCURRING IN THE FUTURE.
WHENEVER A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME OR ADJUDICATED A
YOUTHFUL OFFENDER IS SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED TO BE INNOCENT OF SUCH
CRIME OR OFFENSE AND EXONERATED, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONDUCT AN INVES-
TIGATION, HOLD HEARINGS ON AND MAKE FINDINGS OF FACT REGARDING THE
WRONGFUL CONVICTION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OR CAUSES OF THE
WRONGFUL CONVICTION.
UPON THE COMPLETION OF SUCH PROCESS, THE COMMISSION, WITHIN SIXTY
DAYS, SHALL ISSUE A PRELIMINARY WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS OF FACT
AND CONCLUSIONS, AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS
FROM OCCURRING UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE FUTURE. WITHIN ONE
HUNDRED TWENTY DAYS AFTER ISSUING SUCH PRELIMINARY REPORT, THE COMMIS-
SION SHALL ISSUE ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE MATTER.
SUCH REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC,
AND SHALL BE DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL, CHIEF JUDGE OF
THE COURT OF APPEALS, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, SPEAKER OF THE
ASSEMBLY, AND TO ANY GOVERNMENTAL UNIT OR AGENCY THAT THE COMMISSION
FINDS MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION OR ADJUDICATION OF THE
WRONGFUL CONVICTION. THE COMMISSION SHALL ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE AN ANNUAL
REPORT DETAILING, AT A MINIMUM, THE NUMBER OF CASES ACCEPTED FOR FORMAL
AND INFORMAL INVESTIGATION, THE NUMBER OF COMPLETED INVESTIGATIONS AND
THE STATUS OF ON-GOING OR PENDING INVESTIGATIONS.
S 903. POWERS AND DUTIES. THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE POWERS AND
DUTIES TO:
1. ESTABLISH ITS OWN REASONABLE RULES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING THE
CONDUCT OF ITS MEETINGS AND OTHER AFFAIRS RELATED TO IMPLEMENTING THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE;
2. EMPLOY AND REMOVE SUCH OFFICERS, INVESTIGATORS AND EMPLOYEES AS IT
MAY DEEM NECESSARY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS POWERS AND DUTIES PURSUANT
TO THIS ARTICLE, AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION WITHIN THE AMOUNTS MADE
AVAILABLE THEREFOR;
3. CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS AND HEARINGS, ADMINISTER OATHS OR AFFIRMA-
TIONS, SUBPOENA WITNESSES, COMPEL THEIR ATTENDANCE, EXAMINE THEM UNDER
OATH OR AFFIRMATION, REQUIRE PRODUCTION OF ANY BOOKS, RECORDS, DOCUMENTS
OR OTHER EVIDENCE THAT IT MAY DEEM RELEVANT OR MATERIAL TO AN INVESTI-
GATION, AND MAY DESIGNATE ANY OF ITS MEMBERS, OFFICERS OR INVESTIGATORS
TO EXERCISE ANY SUCH POWERS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, NOTHING IN THIS SUBDIVI-
SION SHALL AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A SUBPOENA OR COMPELLED QUESTIONING
OF THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE OR ANY APPELLATE COURT JUDGE CONCERNING THE
JUDGE'S MENTAL PROCESSES IN ARRIVING AT ANY DECISION IN A CASE;
4. REQUEST AND RECEIVE FROM ANY COURT, DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, BOARD,
BUREAU, COMMISSION OR OTHER AGENCY OF THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVI-
SION THEREOF OR ANY PUBLIC AUTHORITY SUCH ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION,
RECORDS AND DATA AS WILL ENABLE IT TO PROPERLY CARRY OUT ITS POWERS AND
DUTIES;
5. ISSUE PRELIMINARY REPORTS ON ANY INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED PURSUANT
TO THIS ARTICLE, WHICH PRELIMINARY REPORTS SHALL INCLUDE FINDINGS OF
FACT AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND INVITE ANY PARTY DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE
WRONGFUL CONVICTION, WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THE REPORT, TO SUBMIT A
REPLY WITHIN SIXTY DAYS TO THE COMMISSION CONCERNING THE FINDINGS OF
FACT AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT. ANY SUCH REPLY SHALL BE MADE
AVAILABLE BY THE COMMISSION, TOGETHER WITH ANY RESPONSE BY THE COMMIS-
SION THERETO, TO THE PARTIES LISTED IN SECTION NINE HUNDRED TWO OF THIS
ARTICLE AS PART OF THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERN-
ING THE MATTER; AND
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6. DO ALL OTHER THINGS NECESSARY AND CONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
S 904. USE OF REPORTS. NO PRELIMINARY REPORT, REPORT OR PORTION THERE-
OF ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ADMITTED INTO EVIDENCE OR
USED IN ANY CIVIL OR CRIMINAL CAUSE OF ACTION RELATING TO A MATTER WHICH
IS THE SUBJECT OF SUCH REPORT.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law, provided that the officials who are empowered by this
act to appoint members of the state commission for the integrity of the
criminal justice system are authorized and directed to make such
appointments on or before such effective date pursuant to section 901 of
the judiciary law, as added by section one of this act.