From Wrongfully Convicted, to Becoming a Paralegal
DECEMBER 29, 2025 – Since his wrongful incarceration in 2015, Vinny began studying criminal law in the prison law library to help fight his case. Instead of going to the prison yard, Vinny spent countless nights in the law library learning criminal law, reading cases, studying civil and federal procedure, and post-conviction remedies. During this time, Vinny’s grandparents had gifted him enrollment into the Blackstone Career Institute, where he became a Paralegal. Shortly after this achievement, Vinny completed a 44-hour training course by the New York State Department of Corrections, in Legal Research and Law Library management. This accomplishment allows Vinny to work as a Paralegal and/or Law Clerk in any New York State prison law library. Upon passing the course and receiving his certificate, Vinny was immediately hired in the prison law library as a Paralegal and Law Clerk. While fighting his case, Vinny found a calling in helping other incarcerated individuals fight their faces.
From assisting in filing appeals, drafting motions, and legal briefs, to teaching the same legal research course he was once a student in, Vinny has helped many incarcerated individuals navigate the state and federal justice system. In 2019, Vinny assisted an incarcerated individual serving a life without parole sentence in filing a Write of Error Coram Nobis motion, citing his former appellate attorney’s ineffective assistance. While this motion was pending, the defendant’s co-defendant received a reversal on the same issue Vinny had already submitted for his client. Vinny filed a motion to amend the pending motion to include the co-defendant’s decision. The legal aid office that represented the defendant and the district attorney both conceded to Vinny’s argument that the conviction should be overturned. After being assigned an attorney to brief the same issue Vinny had raised, the incarcerated individual’s life without parole conviction was overturned in 2020 (see People v. Powell, 188 A.D.3d 1266).
Vinny continued to secure relief for the incarcerated individuals he was assisting. In Moco vs. Bell, 2021 WL 4340960, Vinny secured a stay (postponement) for a Habeas Corpus motion, showing good cause for the failure of Moco’s trial attorney to request a missing witness charge and the restrictions placed upon incarcerated individuals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Boyd v. Bell, 2021 WL 1920539, Vinny secured another stay on a Habeas Corpus motion citing the restrictions the COVID-19 pandemic placed upon court filings and lack of law library access. The federal judge cited Vinny’s affidavit in the court decision.
Recently in 2025, Vinny helped an incarcerated individual get their case into the 2nd Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. Citing the federal district court’s decision regarding their denial of a justification defense, Vinny argued that the decision was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts of the case and violated the petitioner’s Fourteenth Amendment right to due process under the U.S. constitution. This is an impressive achievement as it is very difficult to get accepted into the 2nd Circuit as a Pro-se litigant.
In addition, Vinny assists inmates housed in the special needs and mental health unit with their legal work. When asked about his work as a paralegal, Vinny said: “The best gift I have ever received was the Paralegal course from my grandparents. They are no longer with us and their gift continues to give from beyond the grave, not only to me in fighting my own case, but to everyone I have worked with.”
For those who have never had any interaction with the criminal justice system, their lies a significant disparity between the outcomes of those who can afford private legal representation and those who are assigned representation by the court. Once accused and/or convicted of a criminal offense, if you do not have the ability to hire a private attorney to handle a criminal case or appeal, you are left in the hands of an overworked and underfunded indigent defense system. Many times, it is left up to the incarcerated individual to fight their own case. This is where a Paralegal or “Jailhouse Lawyer” like Vinny comes in.
Black’s Law Dictionary defines a Jailhouse Lawyer as “a prison inmate who seeks release through legal procedures or who gives legal advice to other inmates.” It is estimated that in 2024, 1.9 million people in the United States were incarcerated. As of Feb. 19, 2025 during the NY Corrections Officer strike, there were more than 33,600 individuals in the care and custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Since the strike and the firing of more than 2,000 corrections officers, a shortage of corrections officers impacts the daily lives of incarcerated people by leading to more frequent lockdowns and a lack of access to many critical services such as the law library and legal assistance. Now more than ever, the assistance of someone like Vinny is critically important behind prison walls.
As a Paralegal, Vinny’s knowledge helps incarcerated individuals who lack the understanding of our complex legal system file appropriate motions and become aware of their rights and the legal requirements in fighting their cases. Through his work, Vinny has uncovered the issues in his own case that got the attention of his pro bono attorney, Oscar Michelen. These issues also formed the basis of the Family of Conviction documentary and podcast series. His fight is slow and exhausting, but as Vinny said himself: “Every success or small step towards justice is just another blow to a system that was designed to protect itself. I won’t stop fighting until I clear my name and my grandmother’s name.”
We fight with you, Vinny, and we commend your resilience along with your work with others.
Nassau County withholding evidence and case documents
DECEMBER 7, 2025 – The public is vested with the right to know what our branches of government are doing and how they are operating. In New York State, under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), all records of a public agency are presumptively open to inspection and copying, unless the documents in question are specifically exempted by state law. Anyone can make a request for these documents under FOIL. The laws governing public access and exemptions to public records, as well as time frames in responding to FOIL requests can be found in New York State Public Officers Law §87 through §89. The exemptions of FOIL are to be narrowly construed and the burden rests on the agency to demonstrate that the requested material falls within one of the exemptions to disclosure (see Public Officers Law 89[4][b]).
In his fight for freedom, Vinny has made multiple FOIL requests to the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) for documents and evidence pertaining to his case, as well as disciplinary records of the offices and detectives involved in the investigation. The NCPD responded and denied all access to the records Vinny requested and failed to respond to the appeals of such denials. The NCPD did not identify what documents are within their possession that they are claiming should be withheld under Public Officers Law. By law, to meet its burden, the NCPD must present specific, persuasive evidence that the material falls within one of the exemptions. Conclusory assertions that are not supported by any facts are insufficient and they are required by law to respond to all administrative appeals. The NCPD has failed to do so.
On June 12, 2020, the NYS legislature repealed Civil Rights law 50-a, which shielded the disclosure of a police officer’s personnel file. The legislature amended the Public Officers Law to specifically contemplate the disclosure of “law enforcement disciplinary records” which it defines to include “complaints, allegations and charges against an employee (see Public Officers Law 86[6][a]). The disciplinary documents Vinny requested fall within the right to disclosure, and the NCPD’s failure to respond, identify, and disclose the documents in its possession is against the law.
This is not an isolated incident. The NCPD has continuously engaged in a pattern and practice of denying FOIL requests based on conclusory assertions, blanket denials, and failing to respond to requests at all. The NCPD has been involved in multiple civil legal proceedings to compel the production of documents under FOIL (see Matter of New York Civ. Liberties Union v. Nassau County, 228 A.D.3d 864, Lane v. County of Nassau, 221 A.D.3d 1009, Newsday, LLC v. Nassau County Police Department, 222 A.D.3d 85, Matter of McFadden v. McDonald, A.D.3d 672, Lockwood v. Nassau County Police Department, 78 Misc.2d 1219(a), Newsday LLC v. Nassau County Police Dept. 42 Misc.3d (1215[A]). These are just a few of the many proceedings against the NCPD. After previous rulings ordering the NCPD to disclose documents and follow the law, they continue to engage in this unlawful practice without any form of substantial penalty.
Although Public Officers Law allows exemptions of certain documents from disclosure there are laws governing how such exemptions are to be handled. There are laws in relation to responding to FOIL requests, administrative appeals, and the time frame in which to do so. Vinny has initiated civil legal proceedings against the NCPD for failing to follow such laws and for withholding documents in his case.
How can public trust be vested into the NCPD to serve and protect our communities and to uphold the law when they fail to follow the law themselves? Since the NCPD continues to disobey the law, answers to these questions can only be solved through civil litigation.
What is the NCPD hiding if they have done nothing wrong? We will update as the case progresses.
Season 2 of Family of Conviction podcast on hold
2025 – Season 1 of our Spotify true crime podcast Family of Conviction was a huge success. In a major victory, our work in telling Vinny’s story got the attention of a wrongful conviction attorney who has taken on Vinny’s case pro bono.
Welcome to the official launch of
FamilyofConviction.com
DECEMBER 26, 2024 – Join us as we document Vincent “Vinny” Duwe and his journey as he fights for justice after being falsely accused and wrongfully convicted in 2015 of sexual abuse of two estranged family members alleged to have begun when he was 13 years old. The only evidence against Vinny was the accusers’ say so, over 20 years later.
From our short film (click here to view) and true crime Spotify podcast (click here to listen), Family of Conviction, we uncover and learn the untold truth behind the incredible allegations and illogical testimony that led to Vinny’s conviction. We learn about the prejudicial relationship between the trial judge and district attorney that prosecuted Vinny. Learn about the disturbing history of one of the mothers of the accusers, which includes harassment against Vinny’s family members, false allegations of sexual abuse, a Child Protective Services caseload since 1991, and more. Learn how this person initiated the prosecution against Vinny but was ultimately withheld from testifying by the prosecutor. Discover how Vinny has uncovered new evidence never presented at trial and how he found resilience in becoming a paralegal and helping other incarcerated men fight for their freedom from behind prison walls.
News about Vincent’s case and the corrupt parties involved will continue to be posted here.
Family of Conviction 