Compensation denied for man wrongfully incarcerated for 37 years

A man who spent 37 years in state prison for a rape and murder he didn’t commit is also being barred from being compensated for his wrongful conviction.

Efforts are underway to eliminate or bypass the so-called “clean hands” provision that bars compensation if there had been previous convictions.

Robert Duboise, 55, has been walking the halls of the state Capitol, seeking compensation for 37 years he spent behind bars after it was ruled a wrongful conviction.

Duboise has maintained his innocence the entire time.

“You just got to keep your faith. That’s what it’s about. You’ve got to have patience. It’s easy to get in there, but it’s hard to prove your Innoncence once you’re in,” said Duboise.

His problem is that he had previously been sent to prison for nonviolent felonies.

Under Florida law, anyone wrongly convicted seeking compensation must have a clean record.

“An incredible story,” said State Senator Jeff Brandes.

Brandes has filed legislation waiving the clean hands provision for Duboise.

“We’ve taken a portion of their lives as a state then they should be compensated for that wrongful conviction,” said Brandes.

State law sets payments for wrongful convictions at $50,000 a year.

In Mr. Duboise’s case, he would qualify for $1.85 million.

SOURCE

6 thoughts on “Compensation denied for man wrongfully incarcerated for 37 years

  • December 2, 2021 at 5:36 am
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    Is a condo on the beach considered as a restriction or is there a distance you have to be from the beach?

    Reply
    • December 2, 2021 at 7:37 am
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      I’m not aware of a state restriction against condo on the beach per se. It may depend upon county ordinance + how the beach is used.

      Best to ask the registration office of the county you are looking at.

      Reply
      • December 2, 2021 at 6:29 pm
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        {Best to ask the registration office of the county you are looking at.} My money’s on the registration office you are looking at will not know the answer.

        Reply
    • December 2, 2021 at 7:42 am
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      Kareem
      Please:

      Use the “Contact us form” for questions not related to the story please

      Reply
  • December 2, 2021 at 10:08 am
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    So Lauren Book asks the man, who is now feeding the homeless, how he stays so positive? Little does he know that probably some of the homeless he is feeding are homeless because of Lauren Book. And why not just get rid of this “clean hands law”? If you have been wrongly convicted, you have been wrongfully convicted. Period.

    Reply
  • December 2, 2021 at 5:24 pm
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    This story is just wrong in every way. Even the clean hand bill.
    I hope he gets the proper restitution.

    Reply

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