MD Postconviction DNA Testing Assistance Program

The Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention (GOCCP) will use grant funds to accomplish the goal of ensuring that individuals convicted of violent crimes in Maryland state courts who have claims of factual innocence that can be addressed through postconviction DNA testing, or through the analysis of CODIS data implicating someone other than the convicted defendant as the perpetrator of the crime, are identified and properly represented by counsel.

Implementation of the project will mean that the 30 pending requests for testing that have been received by UBIPC along with other testing requests that are received during the course of the 24-month grant period will be evaluated by collecting and reviewing trial transcripts, police and crime lab reports and in appropriate cases efforts will be undertaken to locate physical evidence for testing; as well as other activities associated with meeting the goals of the program. The grant funds will also be utilized to hire 3 paralegals who will each be assigned to collect and organize all relevant documents for case reviews. ca/ncf