Innocence Project Responds to Westchester County D.A.’s Move to Vacate 26 Drug Convictions

This week Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah moved to vacate 26 drug convictions after an investigation of Mount Vernon Police found that officers used excessive force, made false arrests, and planted evidence to secure convictions. What’s more, prosecutors failed to turn over key pieces of evidence to the accused. Sixteen of the people accused wound up serving time in county jail or state prison. We applaud D.A. Rocah’s actions, but not every innocent person has the benefit of a district attorney who is willing to reopen their case. That’s why we need a procedural path to help innocent New Yorkers get relief post-conviction. The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act, which is before the New York legislature right now, will make post-conviction relief available to those who pleaded guilty and have a claim of innocence. We urge lawmakers to do the right thing and pass this vital piece of legislation.