Update, 8/4/2010: Last month, Florida moved to create a 23-member Innocence Commission, which is scheduled to begin work this fall. The board will look at death penalty cases, as well as claims of innocence at all levels. Thank you to the over 600 Change.org activists who signed our petition! Congratulations on the victory.

When it comes to death row exonerations, Florida tops the list of states, with 23 convictions overturned. Many other innocent people, sentenced to serve years behind bars for crimes like rape and kidnapping, have also been cleared. Though all states need avenues for investigating claims of innocence, Florida's record numbers should make them a top priority. In a system designed to protect the innocent, there should be no excuse for sending faultless people to prison, let alone to die at the hands of the state.

The Innocence Project of Florida has done its share, working diligently to clear the names of many including their latest success, James Bain. Bain was freed after spending 35 years in prison for crimes he didn't commit. Although The Innocence Project has accomplished great strides and dramatically changed the lives of many, they simply can't be expected to do it all. Florida needs a state-funded body tasked with the pursuit of justice and truth. When doubts of guilt arise the state who is responsible for convicting people should put every possible measure in place to ensure those convictions are righteous.

In December, a petition was submitted to the Florida Supreme Court asking them to create the Florida Actual Innocence Commission, modeled after a similar commission in North Carolina. It was signed by 70 attorneys including the former Attorney General Janet Reno and several former state Supreme Court justices. Next in line for the Senate presidency in 2011, Senator Mike Haridopolos has also expressed support for the establishment of a state innocence commission as has the State Bar Board of Governors. Now, it's our turn. 

Support from Florida attorneys and law makers is high and now is the time to act. Sign the petition urging the Florida Supreme Court and Legislators towards the creation of the Florida Actual Innocence Commission. Such a committee is needed to prevent the imprisonment of the innocent and encourage accountability in the justice system.