Texas Senate Bill SB2183

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of an innocence project grant program.

Impact

If enacted, SB2183 would amend the Texas Government Code to include provisions for the creation of this grant program. Legal clinics that operate under the auspices of law schools will be required to report annually on criminal cases where they have provided services to indigent defendants, particularly focusing on cases that resulted in a finding of actual innocence. Overall, this bill would enhance the ability of Texas's justice system to rectify wrongful convictions by fostering collaboration among legal education institutions and advocacy groups dedicated to innocence projects.

Summary

SB2183 seeks to establish an innocence project grant program in Texas to provide financial support for projects that investigate and litigate post-conviction claims of actual innocence in non-capital cases. The bill aims to facilitate the screening of requests for assistance and to streamline effective investigation and litigation activities by providing grants to eligible entities, including public or private law schools and non-profit organizations that operate innocence projects. This initiative responds to the growing awareness of wrongful convictions and aims to address them systematically through funding and organization.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its objectives, there may be points of contention related to the allocation of funds and the effectiveness of these projects in the broader landscape of criminal justice reform. Some stakeholders might question the prioritization of funding for innocence projects over other areas of legal aid or public defense. Additionally, the administrative processes associated with the grant program, such as the adoption of implementation rules by the commission, could face scrutiny regarding their efficiency and transparency.