From Time Magazine:



New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for people who have pleaded guilty to crimes to challenge their convictions. The bill was favored by criminal justice reformers, but opposed by prosecutors. The bill would have expanded the types of evidence that could be considered proof of innocence and allowed for people who plead guilty to challenge their convictions. However, prosecutors and advocates for crime victims warned that the bill would have opened the floodgates to endless, frivolous legal appeals. The bill would have benefitted people like Reginald Cameron, who was exonerated years after pleading guilty to a crime he did not commit. New York currently requires DNA evidence to challenge guilty pleas, making it difficult for defendants to get their cases heard before a judge. The article also discusses other states’ measures to stop wrongful convictions, and advocates for criminal justice reform who are still seeking ways to give innocent people a fair chance to reverse a wrongful conviction.



Original: New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoes bill that would make challenging convictions easier