Office formalizes process with Innocence Project and reconstitutes conviction-integrity work

Terrence H. Jackson told the committee the office has formalized a referral process with the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and will send potential actual-innocence cases to that organization for investigation and recommendation.

"We have a draft MOA, MOU in place so that we can formalize our referral process," Jackson said. Deputy Michael Alban described the planned workflow: the Innocence Project will investigate potential cases, reinterview witnesses and review old files, then return recommendations to the State's Attorney's Office; the office can then determine whether to file a motion for reconsideration, a writ of actual innocence or other relief.

Committee members and staff noted that many innocence-related petitions result in remedies such as sentence reductions rather than full exonerations. The office says the new formal process will allow the Innocence Project to provide in-depth review the office lacks staff capacity to perform internally.

Why it matters: an independent review mechanism addresses potential wrongful convictions and strengthens public confidence in post-conviction remedies. The committee asked for procedural details and for documentation of how recommendations will be evaluated and converted into motions where appropriate.