JEFFERSON CITY – On Feb. 13, Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, presented legislation to establish a statewide conviction review unit to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Under Senate Bill 37, the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services will establish a conviction review unit to investigate a defendant’s claim of innocence, including those who plead guilty to the charges.
“A statewide conviction review unit will add another layer of protection for those entangled in the criminal justice system and give Missourians a chance to have their day in court,” said Sen. Williams.
“The case of Kevin Strickland, an innocent man who served 43 years in prison for a wrongful conviction, and the forthcoming decision on Lamar Johnson’s conviction have convinced me that this policy is essential and a conviction review unit is necessary for justice to be rightfully served.”
The proposal calls for the review unit to present its findings to the attorney who prosecuted the case or to the office that initiated the review.
For more information about Sen. Williams and his legislation, please visit his Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.