Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL
Part 7: PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS
Chapter 747: WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT HEADING: PL 1993, C. 480, §1 (NEW)
1. Exceptions to immunity. Notwithstanding any immunity of the State from suit, including the Maine Tort Claims Act, chapter 741, the State is liable for the wrongful imprisonment of a person.
[ 1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW) .]
2. Action. The State is liable for damages for wrongful imprisonment of a person if that person alleges and proves the following by clear and convincing evidence:
A. That the person was convicted of a criminal offense under the laws of this State; [1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW).]
B. That as a result of that conviction, the person was sentenced to a period of incarceration and was actually incarcerated; [1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW).]
C. That subsequent to the conviction and as a condition precedent to suit, the person received a full and free pardon pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article V, Part First, Section 11, which is accompanied by a written finding by the Governor who grants the pardon that the person is innocent of the crime for which that person was convicted; and [1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW).]
D. That the court finds that the person is innocent of the crime for which the person was convicted. [1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW).]
[ 1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW) .]
3. Scope of law. For purposes of this chapter, a person is deemed to have committed a criminal offense notwithstanding a finding by a state or federal court that the law under which the person was convicted is violative of the Constitution of Maine or the United States Constitution.
[ 1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW) .]
4. Governor's denial of request. A Governor's failure to issue a written finding that the person is innocent of the crime for which the person was convicted is final and not subject to judicial view.
[ 1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW) .]
5. Settlement. After commencement of an action under subsection 2, the Attorney General may compromise or settle any claim under this chapter.
[ 1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1993, c. 480, §1 (NEW).