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S 2446 107th Congress Senate

Confidence in Criminal Justice Act of 2002

Official title: A bill to ensure that death penalty defendants have a true opportunity to have their cases considered by the courts, to provide all prisoners with an opportuni… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to ensure that death penalty defendants have a true opportunity to have their cases considered by the courts, to provide all prisoners with an opportunity to present exculpatory DNA evidence, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 2, 2002 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Appellate procedureCapital punishmentCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liability
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Contempt of courtCourt recordsCriminal investigationCriminal justice information systemsCriminal procedureDNA fingerprintsData banksDistrict courtsEvidence (Law)Expert witnessesForensic medicineFraudFrivolous lawsuitsGovernment Operations and PoliticsHabeas corpus
This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 2, 2002
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3865-3868)
May 2, 2002
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3859-3865)
May 2, 2002
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 2, 2002

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3865-3868)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Confidence in Criminal Justice Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide for the suspension of execution of a death sentence under specified circumstances upon notice by a party that has filed a motion for a stay of execution or for certiorari with, or that has been granted certiorari by, the United States Supreme Court. Treats a motion for a stay of execution as a petition for certiorari. Requires a U.S. justice or judge before whom a habeas corpus proceeding that involves the death sentence is pending to stay the execution until the proceeding is completed.

Amends the Federal criminal code to set forth provisions: (1) allowing and governing motions by imprisoned individuals for post-conviction DNA testing on specified evidence; and (2) regarding testing and reporting of test results. Prohibits the Government, for a specified period, from destroying biological material preserved if the defendant is serving a term of imprisonment following conviction in a case, with exceptions. Directs the Attorney General to establish a system for reporting and tracking motions under this Act. Prohibits a State from denying an application for DNA testing made by a prisoner in State custody who would be eligible for such testing under Federal provisions pursuant to this Act.

Entitles a defendant in a criminal action in a State court that may result in punishment by death, who is financially unable to obtain adequate representation or investigative, expert, or other reasonably necessary services before or after judgment, to the appointment of one or more attorneys and the furnishing of such services. Prescribes minimum experience requirements for such defense counsel.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2446: Confidence in Criminal Justice Act of 2002. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2446/
MLA
"S. 2446: Confidence in Criminal Justice Act of 2002." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2446/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2446, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2446/.
Markdown link
[S. 2446: Confidence in Criminal Justice Act of 2002](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2446/)
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