WRONGFUL CONVICTION COMPENSATION & SERVICES

SB 407, the "Wrongful Conviction Compensation and Services Act," creates a legal pathway for New Mexicans whose convictions were overturned or pardoned to seek compensation. It requires courts to award specific damages: $100,000 per year for death penalty cases, $75,000 per year for incarceration, and $50,000 per year for parole/probation, plus economic losses like unpaid child support and attorney fees. To qualify, individuals must prove their conviction was overturned based on new evidence or a court finding they didn’t commit the crime, with strict standards to exclude cases involving self-inflicted convictions. The bill establishes a dedicated compensation fund and mandates clear procedural steps for filing petitions in district court.