Florida Questions the Use of Jailhouse Informants

The Florida Innocence Commission is considering changes on the use of jailhouse informant testimony, which has been shown to contribute to wrongful convictions in 15% of DNA exoneration cases. Commissioners are drafting proposed legislation that would require pre-trial hearings on the reliablity of informants in all felony cases in Florida. Although other states have laws governing the use of jailhouse informants, Florida would be the first to adopt this particular reform. The Florida Innocence Commission was created in 2010 to study the causes and solutions of wrongful convictions. It is composed of 23 members from across the criminal justice system, including state legislators, judges, attorneys and law professors.

The Orlando Sentinel reports on the issue,

here

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Watch a video about how

jailhouse informants contribute to wrongful convictions

.

Read more about the

Florida Innocence Commission

.