Lindsey Burrows Argues Innocence Case In Oregon Supreme Court

On June 5, 2025, Lindsey Burrows argued in the Oregon Supreme Court that the conviction and sentence of an innocent person constitutes cruel and unusual and disproportionate punishment and violates the Oregon Constitution. Currently, there is no Oregon precedent holding that an innocent person convicted of a crime is entitled to court proceedings to establish their innocence. On behalf of her client, Lindsey argued in Perkins v. Fhuere that the Supreme Court should recognize a constitutional violation and determine that a person has the right to bring a claim asserting innocence in post-conviction relief (PCR). An opinion is expected within a year.

The ACLU of Oregon, the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Forensic Justice Project, the Criminal Justice Reform Law Clinic at Lewis and Clark Law School, the Innocence Network, and the Oregon Innocence Project all filed amicus (or friend of the court) briefs in support of Lindsey’s position.

Click to read Lindsey’s opening and reply briefs and the three amicus briefs.