Conviction Integrity Unit

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Rick Gibson
(513) 946-3126
Rick.Gibson@hcpros.org
Fax : (513) 946-3105

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has always maintained a commitment to ensuring that only the guilty are punished for crimes. An incorrect verdict not only harms the individual convicted, it also allows a criminal to remain free in our community to victimize more innocent people. As such, the office has always taken allegations of wrongful convictions seriously. Anytime an individual makes such a claim, either directly to us or through a court filing, it has been our practice to investigate and review the claim. If the claim is found to have merit, we take immediate action – which can include working to have the conviction set aside and/or to have the wrongfully convicted individual released from incarceration.

As part of a new initiative by Prosecutor Melissa Powers to increase transparency and public confidence in the work of the office, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office is formalizing this process. This formalization includes the creation of a Conviction Integrity Unit to handle these claims as well as new written policies and procedures for the unit. These policies are detailed in the pages below.

The goal of this unit is to ensure that credible claims of innocence are treated with the seriousness they deserve. It is not to second guess law enforcement or sit as a 13th juror and substitute our judgment for that of the trier of fact. Our system of justice has numerous avenues for those claims to be litigated, including our appellate courts. However, our ethical duty as prosecutors demands that we do everything in power to ensure that our cases are handled correctly. Because, ultimately, our office functions most effectively when the public has confidence in the work being done.

To read the Policy of the Conviction Integrity Unit, which includes the Application, click HERE.