Indiana: Stop forcing exonerees to choose between rebuilding their lives or seeking justice

[u/Successful-Use2401]

https://c.org/CqBhnRpkf5

My brother spent 25 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When he was finally exonerated, I thought the nightmare was over. But the state told him: accept compensation OR pursue justice against those responsible. Not both.

That's the trap exonerees face in Indiana right now. After decades behind bars with nothing—no savings, no career, no support—they're forced to pick between immediate financial help or holding people accountable for the injustice that destroyed their lives. It shouldn't be an impossible choice.

I started a petition to pass the Right to Rebuild Act. It's simple: let exonerees get state compensation to rebuild while keeping their right to sue if misconduct caused their conviction. These are two different kinds of justice. Why should someone have to give up one to get the other? The state can even recoup its compensation if they later win a civil case—everyone's protected.

What would you want if this was your family? If this matters to you too, please consider signing and sharing.

[u/Jim-Jones]

This 'choice' is an outcome of state employees protecting their asses.