Post Conviction

Many people think that once a conviction happens, the court process is over. However, the process is far from over. At the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, our duty is not just to win cases — it’s to seek justice. Because convictions result in life-altering consequences like prison-time, it’s vital to make sure that all cases were legally sound and handled with integrity. There are two units who handle post-conviction cases, the Conviction Integrity Unit and the Appellate Unit.

The Conviction Integrity Unit

The duty of the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office is to seek justice, not just win cases. The Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) was established on May 1, 2023, to ensure that no innocent person is wrongfully convicted. This grant-funded unit reviews claims of actual innocence and investigates cases where new or credible evidence suggests that someone may have been wrongly convicted.

Every claim of actual innocence is examined fairly, and thoroughly, both for the person making the claim and for the public we serve. Each case brought to the CIU is subjected to a thorough and unbiased review. Ensuring that justice is served and that only those who are responsible for a crime are held accountable is the aim.

How the CIU Is Structured

The CIU is led by a Director who has both prosecution and defense experience. The Director reports directly to the Franklin County Prosecutor. The Director manages all reviews and investigations into credible claims of actual innocence. To support this work, the CIU has two investigators and two legal interns.

When the investigation into a claim of actual innocence is complete, the Director prepares an internal report for the Franklin County Prosecutor that details the findings of the investigation and makes recommendations. Recommendations for a remedy may be made if there is a finding of actual innocence; if there is a finding that no crime was committed under the facts now understood; if there is a finding that a due process violation exists; or when it is determined that a reasonable person could have reasonable doubt whether the conviction is accurate and legitimate.

Upon receipt of a CIU report, the Franklin County Prosecutor may choose to empanel an Internal Review Board (IRB) made up of senior trial attorneys in the office with experience prosecuting serious felony offenses, none of whom were involved in the original prosecution or any related appeals. The Franklin County Prosecutor may choose to retain Special Counsel (a respected member of the legal community) for an independent perspective.

The final decision regarding any application submitted for CIU review rests solely with the Franklin County Prosecutor. The decision is final, and not appealable.

Who Can Apply

The CIU reviews applications from people who believe they were wrongfully convicted and meet the following criteria:

  • The conviction was for a high-level felony offense of violence in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
  • The person making the claim is alive and is applying personally or through an attorney; the referral is made by Law Enforcement or Court Personnel; or the referral is made by an innocence agency such as the Ohio Innocence Project.
  • There is a credible claim of actual innocence supported by verifiable evidence.
  • The claim is not frivolous and provides enough facts for the CIU to review.
  • The applicant must agree to cooperate fully, waive attorney-client privilege, and disclose all relevant information to the CIU.

If you believe you have been wrongfully convicted of a crime, and wish to have the case reviewed by the CIU, please complete the application at the Conviction Integrity Unit page.

Once completed, please submit the application to:

The Conviction Integrity Unit
Franklin County Prosecutor Office
373 South High Street, 15th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Appellate Unit

The Appellate Unit of the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office represents the State of Ohio in criminal appeals and post-conviction cases. This team—made up of a Chief Counsel, assistant prosecuting attorneys, and support staff—works to ensure that convictions obtained in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas are legally sound and that justice is upheld at every level of review.

The Purpose of the Appellate Unit

When a person is convicted of a felony in Franklin County, they have the right to appeal their conviction to the Tenth District Court of Appeals. If that court upholds the conviction, the defendant can ask the Ohio Supreme Court or, in some cases, the United States Supreme Court to review the case.

The Appellate Unit represents the State of Ohio throughout this process. Our attorneys:

  • File written briefs and legal memoranda;
  • Present oral arguments before appellate courts; and
  • Work to uphold convictions when they are legally and ethically sound.

When the law requires it, we also acknowledge errors and support the correction of wrongful convictions or legal mistakes—because our ultimate responsibility is to justice, not just to winning cases.

Beyond Appeals

The Appellate Unit also handles a range of post-conviction matters, including:

  • Opposing post-conviction and post-appeal challenges filed by defendants;
  • Filing appeals on behalf of the State when reversible error has occurred; and
  • Providing legal research, training, and guidance to trial prosecutors to help prevent errors and ensure fair proceedings from start to finish.

At times, our attorneys file amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs in the Ohio Supreme Court on important statewide criminal justice issues—asking the Court to adopt consistent, fair rules that strengthen prosecutions and uphold justice across Ohio.

Sealings and Expungements

In addition to appellate work, the Appellate Unit reviews:

  • Applications for record sealing and expungement;
  • Petitions for Certificates of Qualification for Employment or Housing (CQEs); and
  • Cases involving parole and clemency, to determine the office’s position.
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