Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan established the Conviction Integrity Unit (“CIU”) to provide a framework for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to facilitate the review and identification of colorable post-conviction claims of factual innocence, wrongful convictions, and miscarriages of justice. The CIU is committed to responding to claims in an impartial and comprehensive manner. In order to minimize the impact of cognitive bias, attorneys who were not part of the original prosecution team conduct a de novo review of colorable claims.
In addition, the CIU is dedicated to reviewing cases that challenge the integrity of the prosecution or investigation, as well as requests for post-conviction forensic testing pursuant to G.L. c. 278A. The CIU also reviews Rule 30 motions for post-conviction relief when they present a credible claim of factual innocence or detail a potential miscarriage of justice. Examples may include claims derived from new forensic testing, eyewitness identification, alibi witnesses or newly discovered evidence.