ABOUT US

In November 2002, the North Carolina Chief Justice's Criminal Justice Study Commission was established by then Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. The Chief Justice's Commission was established to provide a forum for education and dialog between representatives from the different perspectives of the criminal justice system regarding prevention and rectification of wrongful convictions.

One of the first priorities of the Chief Justice's Commission was an evaluation of North Carolina's post-conviction review of innocence claims. Prior North Carolina exonerations were found to be delayed, lengthy, costly, and damaging to the public's confidence in its justice system. In addition, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys on the Chief Justice's Commission expressed concern regarding the volume of post-conviction motions, the difficulty in identifying credible claims of innocence, and the procedural and political challenges involved with resolution of claims.

After a year and a half of study and review of post-conviction processes both within and outside of the United States, the Chief Justice's Commission drafted and presented to the North Carolina General Assembly a bill establishing the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. Signed into law in August 2006, the Innocence Inquiry Commission is charged with providing an independent and balanced truth-seeking forum for credible claims of innocence in North Carolina. The Commission is a diverse group with representation from the judiciary, law enforcement, the defense bar, prosecutors, victim's advocates, and the public.

* Created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2006 pursuant to N.C. G.S. § 15A-1460-75.