The Innocence Project of Texas

Archive for the 'Public Policy' Category

Aug 18 2008

Splitting hairs on innocence compensaton claims: If unconvicted defendants are presumed innocent, why isn’t that innocence “actual”?

Published by Scott Henson under Exonerees, Public Policy

Everyone knows that defendants are “presumed innocent” before they are convicted. Prosecutors must overcome this basic presumption beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction. But is the innocence that’s “presumed” the same as “actual innocence” for purposes of applying Texas’ compensation statute for wrongful convictions?
That’s a legal hair the courts are just beginning to […]

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Jul 17 2008

Congresswoman Johnson Coming to Dallas for Discussion on Wrongful Convictions

Published by Natalie Roetzel under Public Policy

Two panel discussions will be held in Dallas this Saturday covering the topics of DNA exonerations and wrongful convictions. The discussions, organized by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, will feature commentary by several local exonerees, Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins, and Jeff Blackburn, Chief Counsel for the Innocence Project of Texas. Judge John […]

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Jun 05 2008

CCA Announces Formation of Criminal Justice Integrity Unit

Yesterday, Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Barbara Hervey announced the formation of the Criminal Justice Integrity Unit, which will examine potential reforms to curb the problem of wrongful convictions. Associated Press writer Jim Vertuno reports:
The state’s highest criminal appeals court said Wednesday it will create a new integrity unit to examine and correct problems […]

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