The highest court in Massachusetts is hearing arguments in a case that
could determine the fate of thousands of people convicted of drug crimes
based on tainted evidence.
The American Civil Liberties Union says many of those affected are
afraid to vacate their guilty plea and seek a new trial because they can
be prosecuted for crimes dropped when they entered their plea deal.
The ACLU will argue Thursday morning that the Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court should declare that any defendant who seeks a new trial
cannot be convicted of a more serious offense or given a longer
sentence.
The case comes after former state drug lab chemist Annie Dookhan admitted she faked test results and tampered with evidence.
Dookhan was sentenced to at least three years in prison in 2013.
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