Thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of conviction integrity units, innocence organizations, and law school clinics, exonerations across the country are on the rise. In the past few years alone, at least 10 innocent Marylanders have been freed after spending a combined 265 years wrongfully incarcerated. This program will provide an overview of the legal issues involved in litigating cases on behalf of exonerees. The program will focus on recent successful efforts to obtain compensation for exonerees through the Maryland Board of Public Works and separately through civil rights litigation. Topics will include the unique challenges in litigating often decades-old cases, the available causes of action, common defenses, indemnification, and the unique damages evidence.
One hour of CLE credit will be offered to the surrounding MCLE states.