Nashville-Davidson County Conviction Review Unit
Description
The Conviction Review unit is a subdivision of the Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney's office that investigates claims of innocence. Staff in the office are dedicated to ensuring that the county carries out justice in all cases. They do this by conducting complete and unbiased investigations to confirm details in all formal claims of innocence filed with the court. Additionally, the office is tasked with considering evidence and processing new information regarding wrongful conviction and excessive sentencing. In order to have a case investigated by the Conviction Review Unit, currently incarcerated individuals must produce new evidence or demonstrate how new technology can offer insight into evidence previously entered into the official record. Those who substantiate claims of innocence may be entitled to a new trial or release from incarceration. However, this decision is left to the District Attorney, as the Conviction Review Unit does not have the official capacity to make decisions regarding past convictions or officially confirm claims of innocence.