Former New York Supreme Court Justice Peter J. McQuillan, known for decades of work involving matters of criminal law, has died at the age of 90, his family announced earlier this week.

McQuillan, who served 20 years on the court, remained active in criminal law after his retirement in 1992, compiled a widely read newsletter for the Innocence Project that focused on DNA exonerations in criminal court cases around the world, his family said in an obituary posted on Legacy.com.

Born and raised in Manhattan, McQuillan served in the U.S. Army before going on to earn his law degrees from Fordham University School of Law.

Before his judicial appointments, he was special counsel to the New York State Temporary Commission on Revision of the Penal Law, which oversaw the first major revision to the state's penal and criminal code in 80 years. He was also an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School and served as a member of the State Commission on Forensic Science and the Criminal Jury Instructions Committee.

In retirement, McQuillan and his wife split time between their homes in upstate New York and West Palm Beach, Florida. He is survived by his wife Carol, his daughter and grandchildren.

The family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Innocence Project.