The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California has launched a Conviction Integrity Committee, announced by U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey, to open a path for the review of credible innocence claims by convicted defendants. This committee is tasked with affirming the administration of justice and ensuring that wrongful convictions are carefully and thoughtfully reassessed.

The newly established Committee aims to investigate meticulously and properly address factual innocence claims. Chaired by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Bornstein, Senior Litigation Counsel for the Northern District of California, the group also includes top figures from the office such as the United States Attorney, First Assistant United States Attorney, and the Executive Assistant United States Attorney, along with other members who may join the review process under certain circumstances outlined in the policy, according to the announcement.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ismail Ramsey underscored his office's commitment to the cause by stating that we "are committed to ensure that any person who is actually innocent is not the subject of a wrongful conviction." Similar conviction integrity units have been established in various parts of the country, including the Southern District of New York, the Central District of California, and the District of Columbia.

The principle of independent evaluation guides the Committee, grounding decisions on the merits and asking where to reinvestigate a claim strictly on facts and applicable law, void of external pressures or bias. Although the process is universally available to all convicted persons, priority may be granted to those currently behind bars or under supervision following their release, as detailed in the policy.