New York Must Pass the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act
From left to right: Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, Sen. Myrie Zellnor, Sharonne Salaam, and Raymond Santana introducing a criminal justice package in New York on Dec. 14, 2021 in Central Park. (Image: Elijah Craig/Innocence Project
New York’s law makes it effectively impossible for innocent people who pleaded guilty and do not have the benefit of DNA evidence to challenge their convictions in court. This prevents wrongfully convicted individuals with credible innocence claims from getting relief in court.
The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act (A.7422-C/S.6319-B) has passed the Senate — but session ends this week and the Assembly must act now. Urge Speaker Heastie to bring this critical bill to the Assembly floor for a vote before time runs out.
This bill would:
- Create a pathway for wrongfully convicted individuals to get back into court to prove their innocence — even when their claims don’t involve DNA evidence.
- Provide access to post-conviction discovery.
- Establish access to counsel for those with wrongful conviction claims.
- Permit people with legitimate innocence claims to appeal denied claims.
Contact Speaker Heastie now and urge a floor vote on A.7422-C before session ends.
The Innocence Project is part of a coalition that includes VOCAL-NY, New York County Defender Services, Legal Aid Society Wrongful Conviction Unit, Brooklyn Defender Services, Center for Appellate Litigation, and other legal organizations supporting The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act.