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Wrongfully Convicted Virginians Now Have Chance to Prove Innocence Due to Amendments to Writ of Actual Innocence
by Douglas Ankney
Perhaps now those who are actually innocent in Virginia will be able to prove their claims, thanks to legislation signed by Governor Ralph Northam. The Writ of Actual Innocence law was created in Virginia in 2004. Only four wrongfully convicted persons have obtained relief under …
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More from this issue:
- State Violence, Legitimacy, and the Path to True Public Safety, by David M. Kennedy
- Floyd’s Family Might End Up Helping Pay Chauvin’s Retirement Benefits, by Kevin Bliss
- How the Courts Are Using Compassionate Release to Fix Unfair Sentences, by Dale Chappell
- Seventh Circuit: ‘Especially Compelling Justification’ Required for Same Maximum Sentence on Resentencing, by Dale Chappell
- The Warrior Cop Mindset, by Edward Lyon
- Seventh Circuit: Admissions to Pretrial Services Cannot Be Used to Prove Guilt, by Dale Chappell
- SCOTUS: Counsel’s Failure to Uncover and Present Evidence in Mitigation at Capital Sentencing Requires Remand for Prejudice Determination, by Douglas Ankney
- Indiana Supreme Court: Forcing Defendant to Unlock Smartphone Violates Fifth Amendment Right Against Self-Incrimination, by Douglas Ankney
- California Supreme Court: ‘Honest and Upright Life’ Possible While in Custody for Expungement Purposes, by Anthony Accurso
- Seventh Circuit Explains ‘Conduct That is Part of Common Scheme or Plan’ for Sentencing Purposes, by Douglas Ankney
- Third Circuit: District Court Must Personally Address Defendant During Sentencing, by Douglas Ankney
- Police Body Cams Are not a Cure-All, by Edward Lyon
- Hawai’i Supreme Court Announces Police Officers May Not Testify That Driver Appeared Intoxicated, Overruling Toyomura, by Douglas Ankney
- FBI Expands Ability to Surveil Social Media and Cellphone Location Data, by Douglas Ankney
- Activists Seek Accountability by Pushing NYC to Make Footage From Traffic Cams Available for Archiving, by Douglas Ankney
- SCOTUS Announces Large Portion of Oklahoma Remains Tribal Land in Which State Lacks Jurisdiction to Try Native Americans, by Douglas Ankney
- California Court of Appeal Holds Canizales Decision Limiting Kill Zone Theory Applies Retroactively, by Matthew Clarke
- Nationwide Police Misconduct Database Available to Public, by Kevin Bliss
- Wrongfully Convicted Virginians Now Have Chance to Prove Innocence Due to Amendments to Writ of Actual Innocence, by Douglas Ankney
- Sixth Circuit: Prosecutor’s Improper Comments and Counsel’s Failure to Object Require New Trial, by Dale Chappell
- Second Circuit: Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act Applies on Per-Offender, not Per-Count Basis, by David Reutter
- Fourth Circuit: Sentencing Procedurally Unreasonable Where Special Condition Not Explained and Mitigation Argument Not Addressed, by Matthew Clarke
- Hawai’i Supreme Court: Showing Jury Video of Defendant Declining Officer’s Request to Reenact Crime Violates Right to Remain Silent, by Douglas Ankney
- Extending the Surveillance State During the Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
- The Power of Filming Police, by Jayson Hawkins
- Georgia Supreme Court: Counsel’s Failure to Inform Defendant of Absolute Right to Withdraw Plea Prior to Sentencing Ineffective Assistance, by David Reutter
- Guard Your Digital Privacy to Keep Your Real Self Safe, by Anthony Accurso
- Second Circuit Announces Categorical Approach Applies to State Convictions for Sentencing Enhancement Determination Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B), by Matthew Clarke
- Congress Unsure of Internet Data Collected by Government as PATRIOT Act Heads for Reauthorization, by Dale Chappell
- What to Do if You’re Pepper-Sprayed, by Dale Chappell
- After a Decade of Fighting, The Last Resort Exoneration Project Finally Frees Two Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
- Tenth Circuit Vacates Conviction, Rules Waiver of Trial Counsel Not Knowingly Made, by Dale Chappell
- Colorado Supreme Court: Plea Proviso in § 18-1-409(1) Doesn’t Bar Appeal on Manner in Which Sentence Imposed, by David Reutter
- Sixth Circuit Grants Habeas Relief for Defendant Shackled During Murder Trial Without On-the-Record Justification, by David Reutter
- New York Police Continue Pattern of Arrests of Low-Level Crime During COVID-19 Crisis, by Derek Gilna
- Report: Attorney Appointment a ‘Pay For Play’ Arrangement in Texas County, by Kevin Bliss
- Hawai’i Supreme Court Announces Trial Courts Have Duty to Obtain Knowing and Voluntary Waiver of Penal-Responsibility Defense, by Douglas Ankney
- Hawai’i Supreme Court: Dog Sniff Unrelated to Initial Traffic Stop Requires Suppression of Evidence, by Dale Chappell
- Colorado Supreme Court Announces Framework for Distinguishing True Threat From Protected Speech Communicated Online, by Douglas Ankney
- Tenth Circuit: Confession Involuntary Where FBI Agent Falsely Claimed to Be in Contact With Judge, and Defendant Could Shorten Sentence With Each Truthful Answer, by Douglas Ankney
- Minn. Supreme Court Announces Rule for Analyzing Out-of-State Convictions for Public Safety Registry Requirement Purposes, by Anthony Accurso
- Kentucky Supreme Court: Trial Court’s Ex Parte Discussion With Juror About Offered Bribe Was Structural Error, by Douglas Ankney
- Seventh Circuit Holds First Step Act Applies to All Crack Offenses ‘As a Whole,’ Regardless of Crack Amounts, by Dale Chappell
- Ban the Box not Applicable to COVID-19 Stimulus Aid, by Edward Lyon
- Six eyewitnesses misidentified a murderer – here’s what went wrong in the lineup, by Laura Smalarz
- The Lunacy of Qualified Immunity, by Edward Lyon
- Tear Gas: Soldiers Prohibited From Using It in Warfare but Cops Using It Against Peaceful Protesters, by Douglas Ankney
- I Cover Cops as an Investigative Reporter. Here Are Five Ways You Can Start Holding Your Department Accountable., by Andrew Ford
- News in Brief
- Problems With Predictive Policing, by Jayson Hawkins
More from Douglas Ankney:
- Barbaric and Deadly Conditions Continue to Plague Los Angeles County Jails, Feb. 1, 2026
- Killings Inside Mississippi’s Prisons Continue Unabated But Report Prompts DOC to Reopen Investigations, Feb. 1, 2026
- Competency Crisis in Missouri’s Jails, Feb. 1, 2026
- Ninth Circuit: Notice of Appeal of Order Denying Qualified Immunity Must Be Filed Within 30 Days of Entry, Feb. 1, 2026
- Fifth Circuit Rules Against Louisiana Prisoner Seeking to Recoup Money Made at Angola Prison Rodeo, Jan. 1, 2026
- Report on “Pay-to-Stay” Fees Makes Strong Case for Their Repeal, Jan. 1, 2026
- Maryland Agrees to Pay $30,000 to Prisoner Who Was Beaten by Guards While Handcuffed, Jan. 1, 2026
- Alabama Supreme Court Denies DOC’s Improper Venue Objection, Jan. 1, 2026
- Third Circuit Rules Awarding BOP Prisoners 54 Days of Good Time Per Year Is Pro-Rated, Jan. 1, 2026
- Utah Supreme Court Announces Framework for Analyzing Combined Brady and Napue Violations, Affirms Postconviction Relief in Capital Murder Case, Jan. 1, 2026
More from these topics:
- Exonerated Former Prisoner Wins Election for Chief Record Keeper in New Orleans, Jan. 1, 2026. Prisoner Legal Assistance, Juries, Public Records, Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.
- Chicago Pays Exonerated Prisoners $7.5 Million, Bringing Total to $33.75 Million for Wrongful Convictions, Jan. 1, 2026. Wrongful Conviction, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Fabrication of Evidence, Withholding of Exculpatory Evidence, Withdrawal.
- SCOTUS Overturns Oklahoma Prisoner’s Death Sentence After More than 25 Years on Death Row, Nov. 1, 2025. Ex Post Facto, Good Time, Wrongful Conviction, Habeas Corpus, Wrongful Imprisonment, Pardons/Clemency, First Step Act, Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (CAFRA), Specific Offenses, Controlled Substances, Weapons, Accuracy of Information, Depraved Indifference Murder, Evidence - Circumstantial, Theft, Failure to Disclose, Perjury/Perjured Testimony, Evidence - Failure to Disclose, New Trial - Motions for, Pleas Linked to Cooperation, Evidence - Destruction/Fabrication/Manipulation of, Selective Prosecution/Enforcement, Improper Comments, Official Report, Withholding of Exculpatory Evidence, Exculpatory Evidence - Disclosure Obligations.
- Sixth Circuit Upholds $45 Million Verdict for Wrongfully Convicted Former Ohio Prisoner, Aug. 1, 2025. Police Misconduct, Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.
- Two Exonerated Illinois Prisoners Win Settlements Totaling $14.5 Million, Aug. 1, 2025. Police Misconduct, Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.
- Fourth Circuit Revives Wrongful Conviction Claim of Exonerated Maryland Prisoner, State Pays Him $3.1 Million, Aug. 1, 2025. Police Misconduct, Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.
- $22.5 Million Verdict Arrives Too Late for Wrongfully Convicted Illinois Prisoner, July 15, 2025. Wrongful Conviction, Confessions - Coerced, Confessions and Statements of Defendant.
- $12 Million for Former California Prisoner Exonerated After 17 Years, July 15, 2025. Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment, Coercive Interrogations.
- $7.75 Million Settlement for Exonerated North Carolina Prisoner, June 1, 2025. Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.
- $13 Million Awarded to Exonerated Massachusetts Prisoner for Wrongful Conviction, June 1, 2025. Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.





