Panel Hears Changes to Wrongly Convicted Compensation Law; Exonerees and Advocates Urge Clarification
A committee heard testimony on SSB 5520, which would adjust evidentiary standards for claims under Washington’s Wrongly Convicted Persons Act, add an Alford-plea pathway, expand what counts as confinement for damages, provide an advance on awards and change attorney-fee rules; exonerees and advocates urged clearer definitions and supports for reentry.
The full story
A House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee hearing on Feb. 24 examined Substitute Senate Bill 5520, which would change how people wrongly convicted in Washington seek compensation from the state. Staff attorney Adena Baker told the panel the bill would shift some filing and proof requirements to a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard for filing claims, add an Alford-plea pathway, require the attorney general to concede covered claims in certain circumstances and expand the categories of confinement counted toward the $50,000-per-year statutory award.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.