FL H0299

Each state attorney must establish a conviction integrity review unit to investigate whether defendants have been wrongly convicted.

An independent review panel of three non-office employees must be created to review the unit's findings and recommendations.

Incarcerated persons may petition for review of felony convictions within the judicial circuit if they present a plausible claim of actual innocence supported by new evidence not previously litigated.

The unit must complete investigation if petition requirements are met and present findings to the independent review panel for agreement before making a final recommendation to the state attorney.

The petitioner's direct appeal must be final with no pending litigation relating to the conviction for review to proceed.