Innocence Blog

Michigan DNA law in jeopardy

Posted: October 2, 2008 4:45 pm

Michigan is one of 43 states with a law allowing inmates to seek post-conviction DNA testing if there is potential to prove their innocence, but that could change if state lawmakers don’t act in the next six weeks. The state’s DNA access law is set to expire on January 1, 2009, if lawmakers don’t act by the end of the legislative session. The measure, which also requires that evidence be preserved after prisoners are convicted, passed the House of Representatives, but it is stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Marla Mitchell-Cichon, the co-director of the Cooley Law School Innocence Project in Lansing, Michigan, wrote in today’s Detroit News that it is critical that lawmakers protect justice by passing this law.

Lawmakers have an obligation to Michiganians to extend a law that promotes justice and is cost-effective. The time to act is now — before an innocent person loses his or her chance for freedom. Justice demands it.

Read the full story here. (Detroit News, 10/2/08)

Watch a video of exoneree Ken Wyniemko explaining why he believes all innocent men and women should be able to prove their innocence, as he did in 2003.

What you can do:

Innocence Project supporters in Michigan are sending emails today to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging them to move the legislation to the full Senate. Do you have friends in Michigan? Tell them about the campaign here.

If you live outside of Michigan, please sign our petition for DNA access today.

Tags: Michigan, Evidence Preservation, Access to DNA Testing