SJC Ruling: DNA No Longer Falls Under Statute Of Limitations
BOSTON (CBS) -- A DNA match can now get you indicted, even if the crime was committed years ago.
In a unanimous decision, the justices of the Supreme Court ruled that even if the statute of limitations has expired in a case, somebody can be indicted if prosecutors come up with a DNA match.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley applauds the ruling, saying it allows the law to catch up with technology. "We're hopeful that we improve our technology... improve our ability to identify people… also to exculpate people. This is also a great step forward to make sure that, as we saw in the past with wrongful convictions, that we get it right."
The state court's decision is similar to decisions in at least five other states.
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