Court revises ethics for state attorneys

Tennessee prosecutors who discover credible evidence that someone might have been wrongfully convicted are now required to take steps to investigate further and, in some instances, work to remedy the conviction.
It’s a new guideline in a revised Rules of Professional Conduct, just adopted by the Tennessee Supreme Court. The rules govern the ethical behavior of attorneys.
According to a news release from the court, the revisions provide additional clarity for attorneys regarding their ethical obligations and enhance the safeguards for clients of attorneys practicing in Tennessee. The changes were prompted by a Tennessee Bar Association petition filed with the court in May 2009.