Conviction Review Units Help Justice

The recent letter by Queens County District Attorney Richard Brown (“Conviction Review Is For All Prosecutors,” NYLJ, March 6) overlooks many important reasons for establishing independent conviction review units. Mr. Brown’s thesis, that every prosecutor has duty to try to avoid wrongful convictions, should be self-evident but it is beside the point. Specialized and independent review of suspected wrongful convictions is preferable to the ad-lib approach Mr. Brown embraces.

The value of independent review is recognized throughout our legal system. To take an obvious example, we have appellate courts to address claims of judicial error. Rather than simply rely on every judge’s duty to avoid wrongful decisions, we know from experience that review by detached and unbiased judges who specialize in such review is the best way to ensure just outcomes. Likewise, we have independent inspectors general throughout our federal, state, and local government. In New York City, we have an independent Department of Investigation to investigate allegations of government misconduct. Even Mr. Brown’s office has a separate Integrity Bureau to investigate possible criminal malfeasance by its own prosecutors or other law enforcement personnel. The reason for such independent review is easy to appreciate: objective and autonomous evaluation of problematic cases is the best way to correct errors.