New Hampshire Must Pass Senate Bill 141 to Identify and Reveal Wrongful Convictions

The ability to file a motion for a new trial is a critical post-conviction mechanism that helps identify wrongful convictions. Unfortunately in New Hampshire, there is a strict three-year deadline to file a motion for a new trial.

This restriction means that even if Granite Staters have newly discovered evidence of innocence, they are outright denied an opportunity to file a petition to be heard.

Senate Bill 141 would create a narrow exception to the three-year time bar, allowing the innocent to file a motion after three years if there is newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding in their case.

We know that many exonerees have had to wait years before new evidence was uncovered in their cases or new forensic testing or scientific understanding was available. There should never be a hard deadline when it comes to filing a motion to prove innocence.

Take action: Sign up in the form above to urge House Judiciary Committee members to pass Senate Bill 141.

This campaign is in partnership with the New England Innocence Project.