Wisconsin Exoneree Network
Services
In the wake of the Innocence Movement other states have begun reforming their expungement laws, providing automatic sealing of court records for those whose convictions are overturned. Recognizing the injuries associated with the label criminal, some states now also “immunize” exonerees who do not disclose their past convictions from employment discrimination based on failure to disclose their wrongful convictions. As of yet, Wisconsin has taken no action to reform the current system. However, legislation and changes to SCR 72 have been proposed:
Follow the proposed legislation (AB340) designed to restrict access to case information on wrongful prosecutions and convictions:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB_340.pdf
History of AB 340 including Amendment(s):
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB340hst.html
Contact your legislators to show your support for AB340:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
Questions about AB340? Contact:
Rep.schneider@legis.wisconsin.gov
Cynthia.Kieper@legis.wisconsin.gov
Proposed changes to Supreme Court Rule 72.06:
http://wicourts.gov/supreme/docs/0907petitionamend.pdf
http://wicourts.gov/supreme/docs/0907petitionamendsupport.pdfFINGERPRINT RECORD REMOVAL REQUEST:
"Any person arrested or taken into custody and subsequently released without charge, or cleared of the offense through court proceedings, shall have any fingerprint record taken in conjunction therewith returned upon request." Sec. 165.84 Wis. Stats.
Information on how to Remove Arrest and Fingerprint Records: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/forms/brochures/remove_arrest.pdf
Fingerprint Record Removal Request Form:
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/forms/#recordUpdateForms
DNA DATABANK EXPUNGEMENT REQUEST:
Records may be removed from the Wisconsin DNA Databank if they were submitted as the result of a conviction or adjudication which has since been reversed, set aside or vacated, or for which the governor has granted a pardon or if it was collected in error. Jus. 9.06(3) Wis. Admin Code
Direct question on how to Expunge a DNA Databank Record to:
The Wisconsin DNA Databank Manager
State Crime Laboratory-Milwaukee
1578 South 11th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Ph: 414/382-7500 Fx: 414/382-7507
COMPENSATION FOR INNOCENT CONVICTS:
"Any person who is imprisoned as the result of his or her conviction for a crime in any court of this state, of which crime the person claims to be innocent, and who is released from imprisonment for a crime after March 13, 1980, may petition the claims board for compensation for such imprisonment. . ." Sec. 775.05(2) Wis. Stats.
Info. on Petitions to the Wisconsin Claims Board:
Assistance with food, healthcare, housing, financial guidance, AODA, counseling available though the following agencies and non-profit organizations:
Federal Benefits Chart (including joint programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid): http://tools.reentrypolicy.org/benefits_chart
Social Security Administration resources for SSI/SSDI:
http://connections.govbenefits.gov/ssa_en.portal
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/handbook/ssa-hbk.htm
Information on Badgercareplus Core Plan for Childless Adults: http://www.badgercareplus.org/core/
United Way of Wisconsin: www.unitedwaywi.org
Lutheran Social Services: http://www.lsswis.org
Porchlight: www.porchlightinc.org
St. Vincent DePaul: (608) 257-2036
The Road Home: The Road Home of Dane County serves homeless families with children in collaboration with local ... 128 East Olin Avenue, Suite 202. Madison, WI 53713 ...www.trhome.org/about.overview.cfm
Access to Independence: http://www.accesstoind.org/
Madison-area Urban Ministries: http://www.emum.org/
McGovern Treatment Center Adult Residential Program 300 Femrite Drive Madison, WI 53716; 608.222.7311 http://www.tellurian.org/programs.php?pid=5&sid=1
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: http://www.samhsa.gov
Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE) transitional housing for exonerated men and women avaliable in Louisiana: Please contact Innocence Project of New Orleans at (504) 943-1902 or email tinaw@ip-no.org
Other Resources:
Guidebook for helping clients apply to federal benefits: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/211989.pdf
Legal Information and Educational Resources for Wisconsin: www.legalexplorer.com
American Civil Liberties Union: www.aclu.org
Since 1989 nationwide more than 200 people have been exonerated. These unfortunate people were wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. Their convictions were overturned when evidence surfaced pointing to their innocence. Some of these individuals reside in Wisconsin.
The vast majority of them spent several years in prison. While imprisoned, most exonerees lost all their assets -- savings, vehicles, houses. Years of incarceration also stole from them an opportunity to save for retirement. Once released, for those who were able to get jobs, only a minority earned more than their pre-conviction salaries. A majority of exonerees never recovered their pre-conviction earning potential. Nearly all of them "struggled to keep jobs, pay for health care, rebuild family ties and shed the psychological effects of years of questionable or wrongful imprisonment."
Photos:WEN Prog Oct.'08
