The Michigan Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) reviews claims that point to your factual innocence based on new evidence. The CIU looks for information that supports your claim that you did not commit the offense for which you were convicted. It does not go back through your trial record or weigh old evidence again. Instead, it examines whether new facts might change your case in a meaningful way. The CIU aims to identify wrongful convictions and recommend ways to pursue relief through the courts.
Who Qualifies for CIU Review?
You qualify for CIU review only if you have a Michigan felony conviction and you have completed all direct appeals. You must also state that you played no role in the offense and provide new evidence that no court has reviewed. The CIU focuses on cases involving new factual evidence of innocence, not new legal arguments in your defense.
Evidence the CIU Will (and Will Not) Consider
The CIU will look at new, credible, and material evidence that no court has examined yet. This evidence must support your claim of factual innocence. The CIU will not consider complaints about court rulings, concerns about your sentence, or claims that rely on defenses such as consent or self-defense. It also will not revisit issues a jury or judge already reviewed.
How the CIU Application Process Works
To begin a CIU application, you must send a written claim by mail or email. The CIU encourages you to use its application form, but any written document with the necessary details will suffice. After your claim arrives, the CIU will check whether you meet basic requirements. If you meet all relevant standards, the CIU will move your case into the investigation stage.
What Happens During a CIU Investigation?
During an investigation, the CIU will review police reports, lab reports, transcripts, and other materials from your case. CIU staff may interview witnesses and request new forensic tests. They may also ask to speak with you or your former lawyer. The CIU will expect full access to any information that supports your claim of factual innocence.
Limitations of the CIU
The CIU does not act as part of Michigan’s appeal system. It does not review claims about court mistakes, sentencing issues, or choices a prosecutor made before or during trial. It also does not recheck evidence that any judge or jury has already reviewed. The CIU only looks at claims that point to factual innocence backed by new information. When you file a CIU application, you or your lawyer must keep track of your own appeal and motion deadlines since the CIU will not pause or extend any filing periods.
Possible Outcomes After CIU Review
If the CIU finds that the evidence supports your claim, it may recommend relief, such as clearing the conviction or beginning a new trial, to the Michigan Attorney General. The Attorney General decides whether to move forward with that recommendation. A court must approve any action that changes your conviction. If the CIU will not support your case, you still have the right to pursue other post-conviction options, including motions asking the court to review new evidence on its own.
What the CIU Cannot Do
The CIU cannot act as your lawyer or give you legal advice. It cannot overturn a conviction, change your sentence, or reopen matters that earlier courts already reviewed. It also cannot accept claims that rely solely on new legal arguments or disagreements about how the trial unfolded. The CIU only looks at new facts that support a claim that you played no role in the offense for which you were convicted.
How a Michigan Wrongful Conviction Lawyer Can Help
A wrongful conviction lawyer can review your situation, help you understand whether you can pursue relief through the CIU, and assist you in preparing a strong application. They can also help you explore other post-conviction options that may apply to your case. If you need help with a wrongful conviction case in Michigan, contact Mueller Law Firm now to get started with your free consultation session.
