Bill to spend additional $10M to compensate wrongfully imprisoned heads to governor
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan legislators have voted to spend an additional $10 million to compensate people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes, replenishing a fund that is nearly empty.
The bill goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature. It would help the state address outstanding claims totaling between $21 million and $24 million.
Under Michigan law, the wrongfully convicted can be compensated $50,000 for each year spent in a state prison.
The Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Fund had just $324,000 as of early March.