Today, the Supreme Court hears arguments in House v. Bell reconsidering actual innocence claims. Texas state law currently provides greater access to such claims than federal law. What are the chances that the Court will soften its threshold for such claims?

I sincerely hope they do not. Litigants are abusing the concept. Innocence claims have exploded since Tuley. The defense bar seems so enamored of actual innocence that they are foregoing other clearly established grounds for relief in order to raise innocence claims that cannot succeed.

They pursue actual innocence claims because it ia "sexier". More impact to get a (*&(^(( off because he was "actually innocent" than on a technicality.

What doesn't get reported are the lies under oath presented as claims of innocence. These false claims seriously endanger the safety of victims and the likelihood that a righteous claim of innocence will be heard. Loosening the standards will increase the false claims.

John Bradley
District Attorney
Williamson County, Texas