Conviction Review Unit

The CRU seeks to identify, remedy, and prevent wrongful convictions. Each case the CRU accepts for review will have a strong indication that the person imprisoned could be innocent of the crime for which they were convicted. Minnesota’s CRU also will develop policy proposals to address the most frequently identified causes of wrongful convictions and, when possible, identify the person or people who actually committed the crime. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman submitted letters of support and have vowed to work cooperatively with the CRU in cases that might arise from their counties. 

To view the charter of the CRU, which outlines our mission, goals, and guiding principles, please click HERE. 

To view reports and recommendations released by the Minnesota CRU, please use the links below. The reports are from Minnesota Court Records Online.

Application Process

For detailed information about the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.

The CRU is currently accepting applications from incarcerated people who are claiming that they were wrongly convicted of a crime they did not commit. The CRU’s Application will be available at all Minnesota Department of Corrections facilities, and Applicants may request the Application through the Transitions Resource Center or the Facility Library.

Although friends or family members may want to help applicants fill out the CRU application, applicants must review and sign the application themselves. If for some reason you believe the applicant is incapable of completing the application themselves, please let us know and special arrangements may be made to assist them. Please do not send any additional materials unless we specifically request that you do so.  We do not have the capacity to store additional materials, and we cannot guarantee that documents submitted to this unit will be returned.  

The CRU application is available in the following languages:

Or you may request an application from the Attorney General’s Office by email, phone, or mail.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (651) 296-3353

Mail: Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Attn: Conviction Review Unit, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 600, St. Paul, MN 55101

More Information

For more information, click on the buttons below to see frequently asked questions and the CRU process flowchart.

       

Communications

CRU Advisory Board

The CRU Advisory Board will advise the Attorney General on the establishment, functioning, and hiring of the unit. View more information about the Advisory Board including member profiles.