The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to identifying potential wrongful convictions and facilitating access to post-conviction DNA testing for viable innocence claims. In 2013, District Attorney Ryan established Middlesex County's first Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) to review post-conviction claims of actual innocence. The MDAO serves the 54 diverse cities and towns within Middlesex County.
The CIU was devised to minimize the impact of cognitive biases and respond to such claims in a fair, efficient, and comprehensive manner.
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office CIU is charged with reviewing claims of factual innocence, cases which challenge the integrity of the prosecution/investigation, and requests for post-conviction forensic testing pursuant to G.L. c. 278A. The CIU also reviews Rule 30 motions that include a credible claim of factual innocence.