Legal Connections | Conviction Integrity Unit

Summary

The Conviction Integrity Unit, part of Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, investigates claims of wrongful convictions to ensure innocent individuals are not unjustly imprisoned. Monique Cotton Wharrel, a criminal defense attorney, discusses the unit's role in reviewing cases, particularly those without DNA evidence, and its commitment to justice. Since its 2018 inception, the unit has reviewed 55 applications and thousands of fingerprint-related cases. Wharrel emphasizes the importance of preventing innocent people from being victims of the criminal justice system, while law students from Florida A&M assist in case reviews.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The Ninth Judicial State Attorney's Office has a Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) that investigates potential wrongful convictions.
• 🌍 Conviction Integrity Units exist across the country, with over 40 programs, but they are new to Florida, established in 2018.
• ⚖️ The CIU of Orange and Osceola Counties reviews claims to determine if individuals were wrongfully convicted and works toward exoneration if needed.
• 🧬 DNA evidence plays a major role in proving wrongful convictions, but not all cases can be proven through DNA.
• 🏛️ The criminal justice system should prioritize ensuring that innocent people are not wrongfully convicted, which makes the CIU's work essential.
• 📄 Applications for CIU reviews are available online, at the office, or by mail, and they can be submitted by individuals or on behalf of others.
• 👩‍⚖️ The interviewee has 20 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney and served as a professor and director at the University of Florida's Criminal Justice Center.
• 🎓 The CIU partners with Florida A&M University College of Law students, who intern and assist with case reviews.
• 📊 Since 2018, the CIU has received 55 review applications and is also reviewing 2,500 cases involving a fingerprint analyst whose work quality was questioned.
• 📢 If someone believes they or another person were wrongfully convicted, they are encouraged to reach out to the Conviction Integrity Unit for assistance.

Q & A

What is the Conviction Integrity Unit?

The Conviction Integrity Unit is a program within the Ninth Judicial State Attorney's Office that investigates claims of wrongful convictions to determine if someone was wrongfully convicted and push for exoneration if needed.

How widespread are Conviction Integrity Units in the United States?

There are over 40 Conviction Integrity Units across the country. However, the concept is relatively new to Florida, where only three such units were established in 2018.

Which areas does the Ninth Judicial Circuit's Conviction Integrity Unit cover?

The Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Conviction Integrity Unit covers Orange and Osceola Counties in Florida.

Can Monique Cotton Wha-rel discuss specific cases currently under investigation?

No, Monique Cotton Wha-rel cannot discuss specific cases under investigation, as they have not had an exoneration to date.

What role does DNA evidence play in overturning wrongful convictions?

DNA evidence has been a critical tool in proving wrongful convictions by identifying individuals who were wrongfully convicted. However, not all wrongful convictions can be proven with DNA evidence.

Why is a program like the Conviction Integrity Unit important in Florida?

The program is important because it ensures that innocent people are not unjustly imprisoned. The criminal justice system should focus on convicting the right individuals and protecting innocent people from wrongful convictions.

How can individuals or representatives apply for a conviction review?

Applications for conviction integrity reviews are available online, at the Ninth Judicial Circuit office, or can be requested by mail. Individuals can apply on behalf of themselves, or someone else can apply on their behalf.

What is Monique Cotton Wha-rel's background?

Monique Cotton Wha-rel has been a criminal defense attorney for 20 years and was a professor at the University of Florida for 16 years, where she directed the Criminal Justice Center.

Is the Conviction Integrity Unit looking for volunteers?

While they are not currently seeking general volunteers, they have a program where law students from Florida A&M University College of Law intern with the unit and assist in reviewing wrongful conviction cases.

How many cases has the Conviction Integrity Unit received since its inception?

Since its opening in September 2018, the Conviction Integrity Unit has received 55 applications for review, along with approximately 2,500 fingerprint review cases related to issues with a fingerprint analyst from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.