Opinion ID: 3164794
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Exoneration Act

Text: Â¶29Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Exoneration Act authorizes a court to issue refunds to exonerated defendants, but, because Nelson did not file a claim under the Act, it does not apply to this case. 3 See Â§Â§ 13-65-101 to -103. In 2013, the General Assembly enacted theÂ Exoneration Act, which created a civil claim for relief for exonerated persons who had been convicted of a felony and sentenced to a term of incarceration. Â§ 13-65-102(1). This statute aims to compensate an innocent person who was wrongly convicted. Ch. 409, sec. 1, 2013 Colo. Sess. Laws 2412, 2412. The Act outlines a process for exonerated defendants to seek a refund of fines, penalties, costs, and restitution, along with additional compensation. Â§Â§ 13-65-101 to -103. Â¶30Â Â Â Â Â Â Â To receive compensation under the Act, the exonerated person must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that she was âactually innocent.â Â§Â§ 13-65-101(1)(a); 13-65-102(1)(a). To be considered actually innocent under the Act, the exonerated person must show either that her conviction was the result of a miscarriage of justice or that she is factually innocent. Â§ 13-65-101(1)(a)(I)â(II). Insufficiency of the evidence or a legal error unrelated to the personâs actual innocence cannot support either exoneration or subsequent compensation under the Act. Â§Â§ 13-65-101(1)(b); 13-65-102(2)(a)(I)â(II). Â¶31Â Â Â Â Â Â Â If a person is exonerated, she is entitled to compensation for her wrongful conviction and sentence. Â§ 13-65-103(1). If a district court finds that the exonerated person is eligible for compensation, it directs the Court administrator to compensate her. Id. The General Assembly funds the Act through a general-fund appropriation, which is allocated to the judicial department. See Ch. 409, sec. 2, 2014 Colo. Sess. Laws. 2381, 2510. Â¶32Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Compensation from the State may include $70,000.00 per year of incarceration, tuition waivers, and reasonable attorney fees for bringing a claim under the Act. Â§ 13-65-103. The Act also contemplates a refund of all costs and fees that the exoneratedÂ person was required to pay as a result of the wrongful conviction. Â§ 13-65-103(2)(e)(V) (stating that an exonerated person may be refunded â[t]he amount any fine, penalty, court costs, or restitution imposed upon and paid by the exonerated person as a result of his or her wrongful conviction or adjudicationâ). Â¶33Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nelson did not seek a refund through this process. She filed a motion for a refund several months after her acquittal, in connection with her criminal trial. Nelson asks this court to determine whether she may seek a refund of costs, fees, and restitution as part of a criminal trial after an initial conviction has been overturned, apart from the process that exists under the Exoneration Act.