Video & Transcript Research : 'wrongful convictions'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • I certainly was wrong.
  • And two wrongs don't make a right. Two wrongs don't make a right.
  • It's wrong. But two wrongs don't make a right.
  • We have a wrongful death act.
  • This is the wrongful death act.
Bills: S0164, S0656, S0892
Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed. The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

GVO DEFER, WLA-PSM-GVO, WLA-GVO Public Hearings 02-19-2026

Government Operations

Bills: SB3294
Summary: The committees first took up SB 3294, a controversial measure concerning post-release assistance for people pursuing reversals of prior court decisions where innocence is in question. Members discussed keeping the bill moving on the “human side” while a House companion addressed the legal issues. The adopted amendments removed advanced compensation language and instead required DCR, with DHS, to help petitioners prepare applications for financial and medical assistance, notify DHS upon release, assign a case manager to assist with a cell phone for one year, housing, employment, mental health counseling, and expedited benefits, and provide a state ID upon release. The measure also included technical amendments and a defective date, and it passed unanimously. The joint committees then heard SB 2237 on fire prevention, which would require state agencies to create and update hazard maps and direct DNR to adopt rules and clear brush. DLNR testified that a single lead agency should develop the maps with input from other agencies, that a five-year timeline would be more reasonable, and that assigning DNR all fuels management on state lands would create an unfunded mandate. Members discussed using the newly created fire marshal’s office as the lead, and the committees ultimately deferred the bill in favor of a broader wildfire mitigation measure already moving in another committee. The final agenda included SB 2596 on government leases, SB 30002 on the Hawaii State Planning Act and green infrastructure, and SB 3067 on records and filing requirements. SB 2596 was advanced unamended to Ways and Means. On SB 30002, OPSD explained that a 2025-2027 comprehensive review of chapter 226 is underway, with a report and draft legislation due in 2027, and members debated whether to move piecemeal changes now or wait for the broader review; the bill nevertheless passed unamended. SB 3067, which updates outdated filing formats and drawing scales, also passed unamended with DAGS supporting the measure in writing.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 4th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The other three were convicted. Four Black men outside of Groveland in Lake County.
  • The other three were convicted. Down and shot more than 400 times. The other three were convicted.
  • Even after the United States Supreme Court overturned two of those convictions, violence followed.
  • For decades, their family carried the weight of wrongful convictions, wrongful incarcerations, and wrongful
  • And in 2021, the courts vacated the convictions. SB 694 represents the final step.
Bills: S0214, S0694, S1266
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered three bills. First, SB 214 by Senator McLean, a rural access bill for special districts, was amended to allow independent special districts in rural areas to receive certain state and federal financial assistance payments directly for verified work rather than relying on reimbursement. Testimony in support came from representatives of water and sewer entities and the Florida Association of Special Districts. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 214 favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1266 by Senator Collada on cybersecurity internships and workforce readiness. The bill was amended to create a cybersecurity experiential learning opportunity and clearance readiness program within the Department of Commerce, working with Cyber Florida at USF. A proposed amendment to the amendment was withdrawn by Senator Bernard. With no opposition noted, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 1266 favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 694 by Senator Bracey Davis, which provides compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for wrongful convictions and related harms. The bill was presented as a justice and redress measure, with supportive testimony from Delatry Hollinger and comments from Senator Smith and the chair praising the effort. The committee reported CS/SB 694 favorably, and then adjourned without further business.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee, February 18, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they say, well, what happens if things go wrong with Convention of States?
  • happens<00:01:58.479> if<00:01:58.799> things<00:01:59.040> go<00:01:59.200> wrong
  • <00:01:59.439> with happens if things go wrong with happens if things go wrong with convention
  • We just think that this is the wrong way to do it because of the uncertainties, the lack of rule, the
  • We just think that this is the wrong way to do it because of the uncertainties, the lack of rule, the
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Committee, February 18, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:20:42.559> was jurisdiction in which the conviction was jurisdiction in which the conviction
  • conviction was entered. conviction was entered.
  • state convictions that were resolved. state convictions that were resolved.
  • uh because of the federal conviction. uh because of the federal conviction.
  • <00:23:44.000> under specific to state convictions under specific to state convictions under
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Apr 16th, 2025

Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • bill would establish an affirmative defense against a civil action for damages for personal injury, wrongful
Bills: HB411, HB559
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so it's expanding the definition to encompass the wrongful use, duplication of a person's voice or
  • the main thing it does is clarifies program eligibility for individuals without out-of-state DWI convictions
  • 39.839> DWI for individuals without outofstate DWI for individuals without outofstate DWI convictions
  • convictions to avoid legal ambiguity. convictions to avoid legal ambiguity.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • innocence and an actual wrongful innocence and an actual wrongful conviction.<00:21:48.960> Um
  • If we have integrity and admit to wrongful conviction, we must also have courage to make it right.
  • If we have integrity and admit to wrongful conviction, we must also have courage to make it right.
  • If we have integrity and admit to wrongful conviction, we must also have courage to make it right.
  • If we have integrity and admit to wrongful conviction, we must also have courage to make it right.
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House Judiciary

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • You missed a box, and now there's a not guilty conviction if a jury, you know, decides to follow the
  • You missed a box, and now there's a not guilty conviction if a jury, you know, decides to follow the
  • But research shows that this assumption is dangerously wrong.
  • of the offense from creating new... ...corporate officers who have previously been convicted of the
  • That includes misdemeanor improper entry conviction from 20 years ago, includes a dreamer prosecuted
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2931, which would continue the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board for eight years. Staff and the sponsor described it as a continuation measure to preserve the board’s civil rights reporting and advisory role. One supporter from the Civil Rights Division testified that the board is a volunteer, nonpartisan body that issues reports on civil rights issues, while the division itself protects Arizonans in employment, housing, voting, and public accommodations. The bill passed on a 5-3 vote with a due pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2862, a strike-everything amendment creating a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, narrowed by amendment to Title 13 offenses only. Supporters argued it would deter offenders and help law enforcement, while opponents from CAIR Arizona and the ACLU warned it could burden religious expression and expressive protest, including niqabs, hijabs, motorcycle helmets, and protest costumes. The committee adopted the striker and an additional amendment, then advanced the bill as amended on a 7-2 vote. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in the adoption/termination context, would require service of a filed paternity action to prevent waiver of paternal rights and allow failure to do so to support termination of the parent-child relationship. An adoption attorney said the change would close a loophole that can leave children in legal limbo, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 4136 created unlawful entry into a residential structure where a vulnerable adult resides as a felony, but several members and an opponent argued the conduct was already covered by existing trespass, burglary, abuse, and aggravating-factor statutes; the bill nevertheless received a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. The committee also advanced HB 2995, which rewrites child custody/domestic violence standards to make domestic violence a dominant factor in legal decision-making and parenting time, expand the definition to include coercive control, and create a rebuttable presumption against custody for a parent who committed domestic violence. The sponsor and a bereaved mother testified that the bill is intended to better protect children from lethal domestic violence; it passed 8-0 with one member present. Later measures included HB 4070, which would bar certain convicted individuals from serving as nonprofit officers/directors and expand civil liability related to trafficking; supporters called it a prevention tool, while opponents said it was overbroad and could chill nonprofit services, especially for immigrants and DACA recipients. The bill passed 7-2. HB 2861, codifying post-nuptial agreements and setting standards for enforceability, passed 9-0. HB 2800, increasing penalties when someone knowingly lends a vehicle to a restricted DUI driver and a serious injury or death results, passed 9-0 after emotional testimony from the victim’s family and MADD. HB 2495, adding sentencing enhancements for offenses against vulnerable adults and limiting early release, passed 8-0 with one present. HB 2557, requiring health care providers to produce patient medical or payment records within seven business days after a written request, passed 9-0 after discussion about electronic records and timing. Finally, HB 2594, concerning the Address Confidentiality Program, would require family courts to use the participant’s state-issued address, limit access to a child’s records in certain cases, and make illegally obtaining or attempting to obtain a confidential address a class six felony; the sponsor and a participant described repeated attempts by abusers to uncover protected addresses.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 12th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • The other three men were convicted.
  • For decades, their families carried the weight of wrongful convictions, wrongful incarceration, and wrongful
  • And they were convicted. But we've systematically been making it right.
  • It's also standard practice nationwide for wrongful convictions, and it's long overdue.
  • A great state is measured by how it repairs the wrongs done in its own name.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • The other three were convicted, even after the United States Supreme Court overturned two of those convictions
  • Even after the United States Supreme Court overturned two of those convictions, violence followed.
  • For decades, their families carried the weight of wrongful convictions, wrongful incarceration, wrongful
  • Would you want your state to say, 'We were wrong, and we're going to make it right'?
  • Chair Yarborough, thank you so much for putting this bill on the agenda. tried to write this wrong.
Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 532. It then heard and approved SB 620, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board office to disclose any citizenship other than U.S. citizenship. The bill drew one waiver in opposition from Common Cause and passed 8-0. The committee also heard SB 1396 on litigation financing consumer protection. Supporters said it would add transparency, limit funder control over litigation, and require disclosure of foreign entities involved in funding; opponents argued it would create strategic advantages for defendants and could burden plaintiffs. The bill passed 7-2. The committee later approved SB 192, repealing a $1,500 cap on patient funds held in trust by chiropractic physicians, and SB 888, extending limits on indemnity and insurance requirements for design professionals in private contracts; both passed unanimously among those voting. The committee also approved several Judiciary-related measures. CS/SB 332, as amended, creates a narrow temporary public meetings/public records exemption for certain pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions by local governments, and passed 7-0. SB 820, which strengthens quarterly reporting requirements for problem-solving courts, passed 10-0. SB 1500, implementing probate process recommendations to raise small-estate thresholds, clarify access to safe deposit boxes, and improve enforcement in uncontested probate, also passed 10-0. SB 144, creating a public records exemption for personal information of current and former Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families due to harassment concerns, passed 9-1. The committee then approved CS/SB 1224, as amended, making it a third-degree felony to fraudulently obtain possession of a rental unit through false written statements, counterfeit documents, or impersonation; the bill passed 10-0. SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate, passed 10-0 after testimony from banking and credit union representatives and support from Senate leadership. Finally, CS/SB 694, providing compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four, was heard with emotional testimony from family members and advocates describing the wrongful convictions, killings, and decades-long effort for redress; an amendment specified equal shares for the four families, and the bill passed 10-0. Several members requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills before the committee adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Commerce Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • at the speed that criminals can abuse the system, so having a direct path to challenge and remove wrongful
  • The first step is that a person would contact our office and make a declaration of wrongful filing.
  • Selling puppies—selling animals that have been tortured and abused for profit—is wrong.
Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • at the speed that criminals can abuse the system, so having a direct path to challenge and remove wrongful
  • The first step is that a person would contact our office and make a declaration of wrongful filing.
  • Selling puppies, selling animals that have been tortured and abused for profit, is wrong.
Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 19th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • But to stick to what I knew that day, I knew that he was an convict felon, a very violent individual.
  • Explaining how what was done was murder. $50 million civil lawsuit against me for wrongful death. inside
  • It does make complete sense. since if you didn't do anything criminally wrong, why are we then rewarding
  • those individuals that were in the wrong. We hear all too often in self-defense cases, the family.
  • Evidence was wrong as far as the people that there were. they were filing a claim against.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 19th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Councilmember, the reason I struggled with your name is because your name is spelled wrong in the record
  • And with each of you, the state of Texas is going to know what we've done wrong. wrong, and what you
  • , and them being family friends, I was thankful because I... felt like I would have done something wrong
  • And I had been treated, though, as though I had done something wrong by... robber, like making me the