News: Senate Passes Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act

ALBANY— The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Central Brooklyn) to improve New York’s post-conviction relief framework, one of the most restrictive in the nation for overturning wrongful convictions. 

"In New York, it's far too easy to be wrongfully convicted and far too difficult to clear your name," said Senator Myrie, chair of the Senate Codes Committee. "The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act will help exonerate more innocent New Yorkers who are caught up in our criminal legal system, while upholding the principles of fairness and true public safety. I'm grateful to my colleagues for supporting it today."

This bill would allow defendants to ask the court to overturn a conviction for conduct that has since been decriminalized. It would also make it easier to challenge convictions and guilty pleas when a person’s rights were violated, such as through withheld evidence, ineffective legal representation, new forensic evidence, or unlawful searches.