Source: http://www.cjpc.org/other-states.html
Timestamp: 2017-10-24 01:57:01
Document Index: 411149870

Matched Legal Cases: ['§29', '§ 4900', '§ 2', '§ 663', '§ 505', '§ 10', '§ 53', '§ 148', '§ 541', '§52', '§ 8', '§ 154', '§9', '§40', '§ 775', '§ 14', '§29', '§ 4900', '§ 2', '§ 663', '§ 505', '§ 10', '§ 53', '§ 148', '§ 541', '§52', '§ 8', '§ 2305', '§ 2743', '§ 154', '§40', '§ 103', '§ 775', '§ 14', '§29', '§ 2', '§ 663', '§ 505', '§ 10', '§ 53', '§ 541', '§52', '§ 8', '§ 154', '§ 14']

Other States - Criminal Justice Policy Coalition
Where Massachusetts Fits among States in Compensation for the Wrongfully Convicted
​General Language​
​By Patrice Brymner, April 2004
Of the statutes I’ve looked at, New York has the best statement of legislative intent and the best recognition of the difficulty faced by the wrongly convicted:
The legislature finds and declares that innocent persons who have been wrongly convicted of crimes and subsequently imprisoned have been frustrated in seeking legal redress due to a variety of substantive and technical obstacles in the law and that such persons should have an available avenue of redress over and above the existing tort remedies to seek compensation for damages. The legislature intends by enactment of the provisions of this section that those innocent persons who can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that they were unjustly convicted and imprisoned be able to recover damages against the state. In light of the substantial burden of proof that must be carried by such persons, it is the intent of the legislature that the court, in exercising its discretion as permitted by law regarding the weight and admissibility of evidence submitted pursuant to this section, shall, in the interest of justice, give due consideration to difficulties of proof caused by the passage of time, the death or unavailability of witnesses, the destruction of evidence or other factors not caused by such persons or those acting on their behalf.
All states providing compensation for wrongful convictions require some proof of "actual innocence." I have not found any state other than Massachusetts requiring proof of no conduct that could have been charged as a crime. However, numerous states have other restrictions such as requiring a pardon from the governor or prohibiting an exonerated defendant who entered a guilty plea from receiving compensation later. It could well be that the “pardon” hurdle is as high or higher than the Mass requirement.
I have not found any mention of the 4th or 5th Amendment in any other state’s statute. Rules of evidence and judicial procedure may be found elsewhere in state law, so I don’t know how unusual the Massachusetts language is.
Levels of compensation vary widely from state to state. Although many fall somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000 per year of incarceration, New York puts no cap on the amount of monetary compensation, while New Hampshire limits it to a total of $20,000. Under the compensation scheme for federal prisoners, the cap is $5,000. A couple of states, such as Texas, offer counseling for some period, and Maryland can offer “additional compensation” and counseling at the court’s discretion. Massachusetts is on the generous side with a $500,000 cap and with education and other services provided by the state.
Statute of limitations is two years in most states, but California allows only six months from time of acquittal, pardon or reversal. The Massachusetts legislation would allow two years; three years for those convicted prior to enactment
​I have not found any language in any state’s statute offering an expungement of record. It may be that it’s covered by the governor’s pardon in states requiring pardons.
Compensation for Erroneous Convictions – Approaches in Other States
​The following three charts, taken together, outline a number of concerns that 18 other states, the federal government and the District of Columbia have considered in constructing legislation intended to provide relief to those individuals who have been wrongfully incarcerated.These charts divide the concerns into Eligibility factors, Trial or Proceeding factors, and Compensation factors.
State Legislation for Erroneous (or Wrongful) Convictions:
Prepared by Greg Larkin1 for the Criminal Justice Policy Coalition, Mar. 2005
St. Statute Orig.
(Amend.) Initial Requirement
For Class Restrictions
Contributory Restrictions
AL Code of Alabama
§29-2-150 through 165 2001 Judicial Relief - Conviction vacated or reversed and the charges dismissed on grounds of innocence; or charges dismissed on grounds consistent with innocence a) Claimant must not have been convicted of any of the acts charged with in conjunction with the charge which resulted in the wrongful conviction; b) Claimant's acts or omissions must not have constituted a felony or misdemeanor against the state; and c) Claimant must be imprisoned solely due the wrongful conviction. Felony conviction with incarceration or pre-trial incarceration of > 2 yrs.
CA Cal Penal Code
§§ 4900 to 4906
(2000) Pardon - For innocence Claimant must show he did not contribute to arrest or conviction. Felony conviction with incarceration
DC DC Code
§ 2-421 - 2-425 1981 Pardon - For innocence;
Judicial Relief - Conviction reversed or set aside on the ground that claimant is not guilty a) Claimant must not have plead guilty (unless pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970)) and b) Claimant must prove that he did not, by his misconduct, bring about the prosecution. Convicted with incarceration
IA Iowa Code Ann
§ 663A.1 1997 Judicial Relief - Conviction dismissed, vacated or reversed a) Claimant must not have plead guilty; and b) Claimant must have been incarcerated solely due to the wrongful conviction. Aggravated misdemeanor or felony conviction with incarceration
IL Ill Rev Stat
Ch. 705 § 505/8 1945 Pardon - For innocence Not addressed Not addressed
MA M.G.L.
Ch. 258D 2004 Pardon - For innocence;
Judicial Relief - Conviction vacated or reversed, dismissed charges, or "not guilty" verdict at new trial a) Claimant must not have plead guility (unless nullified or withdrawn), b) must have been imprisoned solely due to the wrongful conviction, and c) can not be reasonably connected by the facts to a lesser crime. Felony conviction with incarceration sentences of 1 yr or greater
MD MD State Fin. & Proc.
§ 10-501 1963 Pardon - On the ground
that conviction was
in error Not addressed Convicted, sentenced, and confined
ME 14 Me Rev Stat Ann
8241-8244 1993 Pardon - For innocence Not addressed Incarcerated
MT Mont. Code Ann.
§ 53-1-214 2003 Other - Exonerated by post-conviction DNA testing. Not addressed Felony conviction with incarceration
NC NC Gen Stat
§§ 148-82 to 148-84 1947
(2001) Pardon - For innocence Not addressed Felony conviction with incarceration in state prison
NH NH Stat
§ 541-B:14 1977 Other - “Found innocent” Not addressed Convicted and incarcerated in state prison
NJ NJ Stat Ann
§§52:4C-1 to 4C-6 1997 a) Claimant did not by his own conduct cause or bring about conviction; b) Claimant must have been incarcerated solely due to the wrongful conviction. Incarcerated
NY NY Ct. of Claims
Act § 8-b 1984 Pardon - For innocence;
Judicial Relief - Conviction reversed & charges dismissed on grounds consistent with innocence, case tried to acquittal, or statute on which the wrongful conviction was based violated either the US constitution or the NY Constitution. Claimant did not by his own conduct cause or bring about conviction. Felony or misdemeanor convictions with incarceration
OH Ohio Rev Code Ann
(2003) Judicial Relief - Conviction vacated or reversed & charges dismissed, because either an error in procedure resulted in the individual's release or it was determined by a court of common pleas that the offense of which the individual was found guilty, including all lesser-included offenses, either was not committed by the individual or was not committed by any person. Claimant must not have plead guilty Felony conviction with incarceration
OK 51 Okl. St.
§ 154 2004 Pardon - For innocence;
Judicial Relief - Conviction vacated and charges dismissed on the basis of "actual innocence" of the crime for which the claimant was sentenced. a) Claimant must not have plead guilty, and b) must have been imprisoned solely as a result of the wrongful conviction. Felony with incarceration
TN Tenn Code Ann
§9-8-108 (a)(7)
§40-27-109 1984
(2004) Pardon - For innocence;
Other - “Exoneration” Claimant must not have willfully and intentionally committed an act or engaged in conduct that directly resulted in or contributed to the wrongful conviction. Incarceration
TX Tex Code Ann
(2001) Pardon - For innocence;
Judicial Relief - On the basis of innocence. Claimant must not have plead guilty. Incarceration
WI Wis Stat
§ 775.05 1913
(1987) Other - Innocent of Crime Claimant did not by his or her act or failure to act contribute to bring about the conviction and imprisonment Convicted with incarceration
WV W Va Code
§ 14-2-13(a) 1987 Pardon - For innocence;
Judicial Relief - Conviction reversed & either charges dismissed or acquittal on retrial or statue under which the claimant was convicted violated either the US Constitution or the WV Constitution. a) Claimant did not contribute to or bring about conviction; and b) Claimant's acts or omissions did not constitute a misdemeanor or felony. Arrest or conviction with incarceration
1 This table is based on a similar table created by Adele Bernhard (Associate Professor of Law, Pace University School of Law) in her article "When Justice Fails: Indemnification For Unjust Conviction," 6 U Chi L Sch Roundtable 73. (Last updated September 9, 2004.)
http://www.innocenceproject.org/docs/Bernhard_Compensation_Chart.pdf
2 "Pardon for innocence" means the persons imprisoned must receive a pardon from the governor stating that such pardon is issued on the ground of innocence of the crime for which they were imprisoned.
Structure of Trial (or Hearing)
Trial (or Hearing)
St. Statute Who Decides Standard
Of Proof Additional Required
Proof of Innocence Rules
on Evidence Time Limits
§29-2-150 through 165 Verification by State Division of Risk Management; Judgment by the Committee on Compensation for Wrongful Incarceration; and Appropriation by Legislature. Not addressed Not addressed Not addressed 2 years
§§ 4900 to 4906 State Board of Control makes a rec. to the legislature Not addressed Claimant must prove the fact that the crime with which he was charged was either not committed at all, or, if committed, was not committed by the Claimant. Not addressed 6 months after acquittal, pardon, or release and 4 months before new legislative meeting
§ 2-421 - 2-425 Civil Court Clear & Convincing Claimant must show that he did not commit any of the acts charged, or that his acts constituted no crime the max. penalty for which would equal or exceed his incarceration period. Not addressed Available to any person released after 1979
§ 663A.1 District Court for liability; State Appeal Board or Civil Ct. for damages Clear & Convincing Evidence must prove either was not committed at all, or, if committed, was not committed by the Claimant (or lesser charge). Not addressed 2 years
Ch. 705 § 505/8 Court of Claims Preponderance of the evidence2 Not addressed Not addressed ≤5 yrs., 15K max, ≤14 yrs., 30K max, >14 yrs., 35K max, with CPI increase for each year since 1996
Ch. 258D Civil Court Clear & Convincing Not addressed Can not be excluded based on 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendment to the US Constitution and Article 12 or 14 of Part the First of the Mass. Constitution. 2 years
§ 10-501 Board of Public Works “Conclusive” Not addressed Not addressed Not specified
8241-8244 Superior Court Clear & Convincing Innocent of the crime for which the person was convicted. Not addressed 2 years
§ 53-1-214 Appropriated by the legislature and authorized by Dep. of Corrections DNA testing Not addressed Not addressed 10 years
§§ 148-82 to 148-84 Industrial Commission, but subject to judicial review "Vindicated in connection with alleged offense" Not addressed At the hearing the claimant may introduce evidence in the form of affidavits or testimony to support the claim, and the Attorney General may introduce counter affidavits or testimony in refutation. 5 years
§ 541-B:14 Board of Claims Board must find by majority vote that claim is “justified” Not addressed The board shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence, but may admit all testimony having a reasonable probative value. It may exclude evidence which is in the opinion of the board immaterial, irrelevant or unduly repetitious. 3 years
§§52:4C-1 to 4C-6 Superior Court Clear & Convincing Did not committ the crime for which he was convicted. Not addressed 2 years
Act § 8-b Court of Claims Clear & Convincing Claimant did not commit any of the acts charged in the accusatory instrument or his acts did not con-stitute a crime. Not addressed 2 years
§ 2305.02 & § 2743.48 Court of Common Pleas for liability; Court of Claims for damages Preponderance of evidence3 Not addressed Not addressed 2 years after finding by Court of Common Pleas
§ 154 State Civil Court Clear & Convincing Not addressed Not addressed No time limit
§40-27-109 Board of Claims Not addressed Not addressed Not addressed 1 year
§ 103 Administrative claim with comptroller or civil suit (but not both) Preponderance of evidence Not addressed Only evidence
from trial and pardon 3 years
§ 775.05 Claims Board Clear & Convincing Not addressed Not addressed None specified
§ 14-2-13(a) Court of Claims Clear & Convincing Not addressed Not addressed 2 years
2 Not in law.Based on Court of Claims Rule.
3 Not in law.Courts ruled by preponderance of evidence (Walden v. State, 547 N.E.2d 962)
(Amend.) Maximum Awards Factors
to Consider Expunge-
§29-2-150 through 165 2001 Minimum of $50,000 for each year of incarceration, but Committee can recommend a greater award to the legislature Not addressed Not addressed
(2000) $100 per day of incarceration Not addressed Not addressed
§ 2-421 - 2-425 1981 No maximum.(No punitive damages) Not addressed Not addressed
§ 663A.1 1997 $50 per day & lost wages up to $25,000/yr & attorney’s fees Not addressed Not addressed
Ch. 705 § 505/8 1945 Not addressed Not addressed Not addressed
Ch. 258D 2004 Fair and reasonable damages -$500,000 (no punative or exemplary damages) Lost wages, circumstances of
trial and proceedings, length
and conditions of incarceration,
and other factors deemed
appropriate. Yes
(w/ hearing)
§ 10-501 1963 Actual damages and reasonable amount for counseling Not addressed Not addressed
8241-8244 1993 $300,000 (no punitive or exemplary damages) Not addressed Not addressed
§ 53-1-214 2003 Provides educational aid Not addressed Yes
(2001) $20,000 per year with Max of $500,000 Not addressed Not addressed
§ 541-B:14 1977 $20,000 Not addressed Not addressed
§§52:4C-1 to 4C-6 1997 2x claimant’s income in the year
prior to incarceration or 20K per year
of incarceration, whichever is greater Not addressed Not addressed
Act § 8-b 1984 Fair and reasonable damages Not addressed Not addressed
(2003) $40,330 per yr and lost wages, prison costs, and attorney’s fees Not addressed Not addressed
§ 154 2004 $175,000 (no punative or exemplary damages) Not addressed Not addressed
(2004) $1,000,000 Relevant factors including
the person's physical and
mental suffering and loss
of earnings Yes
of exoneration)
(2001) 25K per year to a max of $500,000;
One free year of counseling if mutually agreed by Dep. of Mental Health Legal expenses; lost wages;
(including counseling) Not addressed
(1987) $5,000/yr, max $25,000 but Board may petition legislature for additional funds Not addressed Not addressed
§ 14-2-13(a) 1987 Fair and reasonable damages Not addressed Not addressed