Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill that creates the nation's first commission to investigate prosecutorial misconduct. The law establishes an 11-member commission appointed by the governor, Legislature and New York's chief judge to probe misconduct claims against New York State district attorneys and their assistants.
The governor on Monday said the law will root out any potential abuses of power and will give New Yorkers comfort that there is a system of checks and balances in the criminal justice system.
The legislation was opposed by the state DA's association. Queens DA Richard Brown says the law is unconstitutional and he will support coming litigation against it.
The Innocence Project applauded the governor, saying "too many innocent people have been wrongly convicted as a result of prosecutorial misconduct."
