Innocence Commission Pilot Programs.

Existing law provides for the prosecution of crimes by the district attorney of each county. Existing law establishes the office of the Attorney General to prosecute crimes at the state level and to provide technical assistance to local law enforcement, including district attorneys' offices. This bill, until January 1, 2026, would require the Attorney General to choose 3 counties in which to establish Innocence Commission Pilot Programs to further the district attorneys' commitment to justice, professional ethics, and integrity, and to effectuate the district attorneys' duty to prevent and rectify the conviction of innocent persons. The bill would require participating district attorneys' offices to establish an Innocence Commission, to review cases submitted to it to determine if a person is factually innocent, has been wrongfully committed, or should receive relief in the interest of justice, as specified. The bill would require participating district attorneys' offices to track specified metrics and to report them to the Attorney General's office quarterly. The bill would require the Attorney General's office to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature by January 31 of each year until 2026.