Bill > S877

This bill updates the wrongful conviction compensation law in Massachusetts. Some key provisions include: 1) Changing the standard of evidence required to establish wrongful conviction from "which tend to establish" to "consistent with". 2) Allowing claimants to receive preliminary relief upon an initial showing of a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. 3) Requiring the court to expedite discovery and provide a speedy trial for these cases. 4) Prohibiting the state from requiring claimants to make payments to the commonwealth from any compensation or settlement. 5) Expanding the types of services and benefits the state must provide to successful claimants, including payment for educational services. 6) Entitling prevailing claimants to recover litigation costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 7) Directing the court to order the expungement of records related to the erroneous conviction upon settlement or successful claim.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S877