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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A bill designed to limit post-conviction appeals in Utah criminal cases -- particularly those from death row inmates -- has been approved by a legislative committee.
The bill would allow a state court judge to dismiss a petition for post-conviction relief on a procedural basis, such as missing a filing deadline, without assessing the merits of the appeal. An exemption for defendants claiming their lawyers provided ineffective assistance would remain.
House Bill 19 is sponsored by Rep. Kay McIff, a Richfield Republican. The bill would alter the Post-Conviction Remedies which outlines the claims defendants can raise after losing an initial appeal of a conviction.
It was approved by a House panel unanimously on Wednesday and now advances to the full house.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
