Use in post-conviction proceedings The Alford plea has received public attention for its use in resolving high-profile post-conviction proceedings for individuals who claim they were wrongfully convicted for crimes they did not commit. In 2011, the West Memphis Three—three men who had been convicted as teenagers of the 1993 murders of three children and sentenced to life in prison or, for one defendant, the death penalty—entered Alford pleas decades following their initial convictions. New evidence had come to light that might exonerate them, so the Arkansas Supreme Court ordered an evidentiary hearing to consider whether a new trial would be required. Instead of holding the hearing, the defendants and state prosecutors agreed that the court would vacate the prior convictions to permit the defendants to enter Alford pleas, be re-sentenced to "time served," and obtain immediate release from prison. As part of the plea deal, the men agreed not to sue the state seeking civil damages for their convictions and imprisonment.
use in post-conviction proceedings the alford plea has received public attention for its use in resolving high-profile post-conviction proceedings for individuals who claim they were wrongfully convicted for crimes they did not commit in 2011 the west memphis three—three men who had been convicted as teenagers of the 1993 murders of three children and sentenced to life in prison or for one defendant the death penalty—entered alford pleas decades following their initial convictions new evidence had come to light that might exonerate them so the arkansas supreme court ordered an evidentiary hearing to consider whether a new trial would be required instead of holding the hearing the defendants and state prosecutors agreed that the court would vacate the prior convictions to permit the defendants to enter alford pleas be re-sentenced to "time served" and obtain immediate release from prison as part of the plea deal the men agreed not to sue the state seeking civil damages for their convictions and imprisonment