The Conviction Integrity Unit is an office of the Ninth Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office in Florida that investigates claims of innocence. The purpose of the Conviction Integrity Unit is to work closely with the Ninth Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office. The CIU stands as an independent division within the State’s Attorney’s Office. It functions outside the Criminal Prosecution Divisions and its recommendations are submitted directly to the State Attorney. They assist with confirming the validity of claims of injustice by taking on a thorough investigation for all requests wherein convicted individuals offer strong evidence to support their claims of innocence, offer trustworthy proof that they were wrongfully convicted or otherwise verify their claims of injustice during their interactions with the justice system. Staff in the office investigate the reliability behind official requests and determine whether or not plea bargaining significantly affected the outcome of the case. Those claims of innocence that are backed by credible evidence often lead to a formal recommendation that the District Attorney reopen the case and identify whether or not evidence of injustice warrants further action. The CIU does not review cases regarding lawful sentences, procedural matters or relitigate matters that are unrelated to innocence and have been lawfully decided by the court. The CIU will investigate claims regardless of any procedural bars that exist to formal litigation of the claim. For more information, contact the Conviction Integrity Unit directly using the information provided on the website.