BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • Health
  • News
  • Crime
  • Local News
  • People
  • Guest Post
BBC Gossip
BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • People
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Guest Post
Home Proposed Georgia law aims to provide compensation for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and allows for reimbursement of legal expenses for election-related lawsuits initiated by former President Trump.
  • Local News

Proposed Georgia law aims to provide compensation for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and allows for reimbursement of legal expenses for election-related lawsuits initiated by former President Trump.

    Georgia bill would compensate the wrongfully convicted and let Trump recover costs of election case
    Up next
    Beware: People Who Say Paying Taxes Is Patriotic, Always Want to Make You Pay More
    Watch out: Individuals advocating for the idea that paying taxes is a form of patriotism typically aim to increase the amount you have to pay.
    Published on 05 April 2025
    Author
    BBC Gossip

    ATLANTA – Efforts to improve Georgia’s system for compensating individuals wrongly convicted of crimes faced a near-death experience but ultimately found a lifeline. The initiative was included in a broader bill that also addresses the potential reimbursement of legal fees for former President Donald Trump and his associates following their indictment related to the attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

    The combined bill, Senate Bill 244, won final approval Friday, the last day of Georgia’s legislative session.

    Should Republican Governor Brian Kemp approve the bill, it would allow defendants in criminal cases to recover their legal fees in situations where a prosecutor is disqualified, leading to the case’s dismissal. Additionally, the bill would introduce a state statute mandating that individuals who have been wrongfully convicted receive $75,000 per year of incarceration if they can demonstrate their innocence of the crime or any lesser offense.

    Georgia is among the 12 states lacking a law that compensates those who have been wrongly convicted, as highlighted in an analysis by the Georgia Innocence Project. Currently, the only way for individuals to receive compensation is for a legislator to propose a bill for approval, a process known for being entangled in politics and often resulting in individuals being left without the financial support they deserve, as seen in the cases of five individuals who attempted to seek compensation this year.

    The original half of the bill has a different backstory. Trump and 18 codefendants were indicted in Fulton County in August 2023. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified from the case by a state appeals court based on a romantic relationship she had with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom Willis hired to lead the case.

    This is what led state Sen. Brandon Beach, an Alpharetta Republican, to bring forward the measure. He was recently named treasurer of the United States by Trump after years of vociferous support for the president.

    “Punitive politics”

    The measure passed the Senate 35-18 with all Republicans voting yes. The three highest-ranking Democrats crossed over to vote yes — House Minority Leader Harold Jones II of Augusta House Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. Elena Parent of Atlanta and House Democratic Whip Kim Jackson of Stone Mountain.

    But many Democrats were not on board.

    “I understand some people have allegiance to the president and some people voted for him, and that’s their right. But do not force my constituents to pay his legal fees,” Atlanta Democrat state Sen. RaShaun Kemp said.

    Atlanta Democrat state Rep. Shea Roberts on Wednesday called the bill a “disgusting display of punitive politics.” The bill passed 103-61 in the House.

    “It puts legislators and voters in a moral straitjacket,” Roberts said. “If you want to support justice for the wrongfully convicted, you also have to support protecting powerful politicians from accountability. That’s not leadership, that’s hostage-taking.”

    A long-standing push

    The bill’s passage came the day after Republican Senate Majority Whip Randy Robertson held a four hour committee meeting at 6 a.m. on a measure to compensate five people whose convictions were overturned after years of incarceration. By then, it was too late for that proposal to get a vote.

    Robertson, a former sheriff’s deputy, has been the lead opponent against past measures to compensate people and to establish a law to let legal experts make that decision instead of legislators.

    People seeking compensation this year have had convictions overturned based on findings such as DNA evidence, legal and police errors and the discovery of new evidence indicating they did not commit the crime they were incarcerated for.

    But Robertson said people set free due to wrongful convictions aren’t necessarily innocent because convictions may be overturned due to technical errors. He also had doubts about whether some of the people seeking compensation this year were innocent. Still, he said the current method is flawed, and he decided to support this year’s bill to take the compensation process out of the legislature’s hand.

    Republican sponsor state Rep. Katie Dempsey of Rome said the bill will let the wrongfully convicted “have a true chance, that is not a retrial from legislators.”

    Democratic Rep. Scott Holcomb, who has championed the wrongful compensation bill for years, begged Democrats in both chambers to vote for a measure he called one of the few “incredibly consequential” bills he worked on.

    “There isn’t a person alive who would trade the money that these individuals are receiving for what happened to them in terms of being locked up in our state’s prisons, for usually decades of their lives, for something they didn’t do,” he said Friday.

    ——

    Associated Press reporter Jeff Amy contributed.

    ___

    Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    You May Also Like
    Takeaways from AP’s report on how federal public health cuts are affecting communities across the US
    • Local News

    Lessons Learned from AP’s Study on the Impact of Federal Public Health Budget Cuts on US Communities

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A wide range of individuals and programs focused on…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Fentanyl dealer busted near Colorado State Capitol sentenced to federal prison
    • Local News

    Federal Prison Sentence for Fentanyl Dealer Arrested in Close Proximity to Colorado State Capitol

    DENVER — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    ‘He did nothing wrong:’ Family demands answers after Orange County deputies shoot, kill man
    • Local News

    “Family Seeks Answers: Orange County Deputies Shoot and Kill Man Despite No Wrongdoing”

    In Orange County, Florida, the family of a man who was shot…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Actor Valerie Mahaffey, 'Northern Exposure' Emmy winner, dies after cancer battle, publicist says
    • Local News

    Valerie Mahaffey, Emmy winner from ‘Northern Exposure,’ passes away after cancer fight, according to publicist.

    Her stage, film and television work ranged from Shakespeare to the hit…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Elyria police investigate Sunday morning shooting
    • Local News

    1 Person Charged in Elyria After Fight Escalates to Shooting

    Levi Webb, a 26-year-old individual, was taken into custody following claims of…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Paris probes antisemitic vandalism targeting synagogues and a Holocaust memorial
    • Local News

    Paris investigating anti-Semitic vandalism against synagogues and Holocaust memorial

    PARIS – Authorities in Paris have launched an investigation after several Jewish…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Akron police release bodycam video from incident where suspect fired at officers
    • Local News

    Police in Akron share bodycam footage from incident involving suspect shooting at officers

    Police say one officer suffered a ‘minor leg injury.’ A 27-year-old woman…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Put-In-Bay's Paul Jeris set to blast off into space with Blue Origin
    • Local News

    Paul Jeris from Put-In-Bay is getting ready to launch into space with Blue Origin

    Island local Paul Jeris will journey to space with Blue Origin’s New…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Afro Mexican actors fighting racism celebrate their heritage through their plays
    • Local News

    Celebrating Heritage: Afro Mexican Actors Combatting Racism through Theatre

    TICUMÁN – TICUMÁN, MéThere was something about her body, but Mexican actress…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    California track-and-field championships draw limited protest over trans student's participation
    • Local News

    Protest over participation of transgender student at California track-and-field championships is minimal

    CLOVIS, Calif. – An additional medal will be awarded at California’s high…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Adam Sandler steps back on the golf green in latest 'Happy Gilmore 2' trailer
    • Local News

    Adam Sandler returns to the golf course in the new preview for ‘Happy Gilmore 2’

    The sports comedy sequel will also feature many familiar faces from the…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Suspect accused of shooting, injuring 2 Mifflin Township police officers found, authorities say
    • Local News

    Authorities say they have located the suspect who allegedly shot and wounded two police officers in Mifflin Township.

    As the officers pursued a passenger, he reportedly turned and opened fire…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025

    Recent Posts

    • Eiza Gonzalez, Timothee Chalamet’s former partner, responds to news of his relationship with Kylie Jenner.
    • Romesh Ranganathan announces unexpected decision to take a break from his career, clarifies he is not quitting.
    • Possible break in unsolved case of ‘Budweiser Girl’ murder as suspect emerges
    • Elderly ex-Constable vindicated after wrongful arrest by UK Police for opinion-related charges
    • “Hamas Ready to Release Hostages in Efforts to Bring Peace to Gaza Conflict”
    Timothee Chalamet’s Ex Eiza Gonzalez Reacts to Him Dating Kylie Jenner
    • Entertainment

    Eiza Gonzalez, Timothee Chalamet’s former partner, responds to news of his relationship with Kylie Jenner.

    Timothée Chalamet’s Ex Eiza Gonzalez is sharing her candid reaction to the…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Romesh Ranganathan reveals plans to step back from career in shock move - but insists he is not retiring
    • News

    Romesh Ranganathan announces unexpected decision to take a break from his career, clarifies he is not quitting.

    Romesh Ranganathan has revealed he’s hitting pause on his hectic showbiz schedule…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Mystery of 'Budweiser Girl' murder could finally be solved as lurking suspect emerges from the shadows
    • US

    Possible break in unsolved case of ‘Budweiser Girl’ murder as suspect emerges

    Jessica Richardson discovered her mother, Cheryl Williams Frady, lifeless in the…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Elderly Former Constable Gets Justice After Being Arrested by UK Police for Thought Crimes
    • US

    Elderly ex-Constable vindicated after wrongful arrest by UK Police for opinion-related charges

    In 2023, there was a notable case involving a man who was…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    BBC Gossip
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • News
    • Local News
    • Health
    • Crime
    • Guest Post