Page 6 - CLT032221

6 ¦ MARCH 22, 2021 NEWS

¦ From 5 QUESTIONS on PAGE 5
The effects of these crimes can be severe and long-

lasting. We believe the statutory change increasing
the classification of these crimes to a Class D felony
with additional probationary time and longer su-
pervision would improve protections for the victims
and help keep them safe and provide greater ac-
countability for offenders.

CLT: Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget announced this
session includes money to create a five-member
Conviction Integrity Unit. Your office has been out-
spoken on what’s needed to make this unit effective.
Please elaborate.

Colangelo: The Division of Criminal Justice is in
full support of the creation of a Conviction Integrity Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo Jr.
Unit, an effort we believe will help restore the com- Photo: Robert Storace/ALM

munity’s confidence in the criminal justice system. Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court
This unit will reexamine evidence in cases in Chase Rogers, retired Chief Public Defender Su-
which there is reason to believe there was a wrong- san Storey, former Chief State’s Attorney Kevin
ful conviction, and create a statewide procedural Kane, members of the American Civil Liberties
framework that will make it possible to review cases Union’s Smart Justice Campaign, clinical professor
that we have lost confidence in. of law at Yale Law School Fiona Doherty, attorney
Prosecutors must ensure justice is done in every and Criminal Justice Commission member Regi-
case they handle, and that duty doesn’t end when a nald Betts and New Britain State’s Attorney Brian
conviction is obtained. Preleski.
Shortly after my appointment to chief state’s The division would like to thank the governor
attorney, I formed the Conviction Integrity Unit for understanding the importance of having a Con-
Working Group, chaired by Deputy Chief State’s viction Integrity Unit, and the Office of Policy and
Attorney Kevin Lawlor. Members included retired Management for believing that having a unit is good

CONNECTICUT
Law Tribune