On October 1, 2005, Florida's wrongfully convicted prisoners will forever lose the ability to request DNA testing of biological evidence that could prove their innocence because Florida's postconviction DNA statute sunsets on that date, after which no petitions may be filed and evidence will no longer be required to be preserved for future DNA testing.

We have lined up sponsors in both the House (HB 247) and the Senate (SB1004) who are in the process of submitting strike all amendments to their existing bills to substitute the required legislation. We now need people to call and email legislators urging support of this important issue. Our bills will amend Florida's postconviction statute to remove the time deadline, as well as the prohibition against those who pled guilty from requesting DNA testing regardless of their actual innocence and will create an Innocence Commission to investigate the wrongful convictions. It will also make other changes in the law so that Florida may qualify for it's share of $34 million a year in federal grants for the next five years for DNA testing improvements, both before and after conviction, under the Justice for All Act signed into law by President Bush on October 30, 2004. (Please note that the new bill language is not yet available on the legislative websites; Click here to see the draft language).

Please call or email the following legislators to let them know you support this issue, and urge them to place these bills on the committee calendars as soon as possible. If the person is listed below as a sponsor, please thank them. If not, ask them to become a co-sponsor as well.

Committee leadership:

• Representative Dick Kravitz (Chair of House Criminal Justice Committee):
  (850) 488-1304 or (904) 213-3005 or email dick.kravitz@myfloridahouse.gov
  

• Senator Stephen Wise (Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee):
  (850) 487-5027 or (904) 573-4900 or email: wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov