SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 567
90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CLAY.
Pre-filed December 1, 1999, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
2446S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 537, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to compensation for wrongful imprisonment.
Section A. Chapter 537, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 537.780, to read as follows:
537.780. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any person convicted and subsequently imprisoned for one or more crimes which he did not commit may, under the conditions hereinafter provided, bring a suit for damages in circuit court against the state of Missouri.
2. The person, hereinafter referred to as the "claimant", shall establish the following by clear and convincing evidence:
(1) That he was convicted of a crime and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, served all or any part of his sentence;
(2) He did not commit the crime for which he was convicted; and
(3) He did not by his own conduct cause or bring about his conviction.
3. The suit, accompanied by a statement of the facts concerning the claim for damages, verified in the manner provided for the verification of complaints in civil actions, shall be brought by the claimant within a period of two years after his release from imprisonment, or after the grant of a pardon to him; provided, however, that any eligible claimant released or pardoned during the five-year period prior to the effective date of this section shall have two years to file a suit.
4. (1) Damages awarded pursuant to this section shall not exceed twice the amount of the claimant's income in the year prior to his incarceration or twenty thousand dollars for each year of incarceration, whichever is greater.
(2) In addition to the damages awarded pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the claimant shall be entitled to receive reasonable attorney fees.
5. (1) A person serving a term of imprisonment for a crime other than a crime of which the person was mistakenly convicted shall not be eligible to file a claim for damages pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(2) A person shall not be eligible to file a claim for damages pursuant to the provisions of this section if the sentence for the crime of which the person was mistakenly convicted was served concurrently with the sentence for the conviction of another crime.