Schneiderman Seeks To Facilitate Lawsuits By Wrongful Convicts
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has proposed revisions in state law, so that more people wrongfully convicted of crimes bring damage claims against the state.
Schneiderman was set to detail the proposal Wednesday at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
His legislation would amend current law to clarify that a person who falsely confessed or pleaded guilty may remain eligible to pursue a claim.
The law now requires showing the person ``did not by his own conduct cause or bring about his conviction.''
He would also change other provisions for resubmitting claims and extending the statute of limitations.
According to the Innocence Project, 27 people have had convictions reversed since 1991 because of DNA evidence in the state, and at least 10 made false incriminating statements or pleaded guilty.
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