Cite as: 506 U. S. 390 (1993)
Opinion of the Court
Only 15 States allow a new trial motion based on newly discovered evidence to be filed more than three years after conviction. Of these States, four have waivable time limits of less than 120 days, two have waivable time limits of more than 120 days, and nine States have no time limits.11
In light of the historical availability of new trials, our own amendments to Rule 33, and the contemporary practice in the States, we cannot say that Texas' refusal to entertain petitioner's newly discovered evidence eight years after his conviction transgresses a principle of fundamental fairness "rooted in the traditions and conscience of our people." Patterson v. New York, 432 U. S., at 202 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). This is not to say, however, that petitioner is left without a forum to raise his actual innocence claim. For under Texas law, petitioner may file a request for executive clemency. See Tex. Const., Art. IV, § 11; Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann., Art. 48.01 (Vernon 1979). Clemency 12 is deeply rooted in our Anglo-American tradition
Rule Crim. Proc. 33 (1991-1992) (two years); Vt. Rule Crim. Proc. 33 (1983) (two years); Wash. Crim. Rule 7.8(b) (1993) (one year); Wyo. Rule Crim. Proc. 33(c) (1992) (two years).
11 Cal. Penal Code Ann. § 1181(8) (West 1985) (no time limit); Colo. Rule Crim. Proc. 33 (Supp. 1992) (no time limit); Ga. Code Ann. §§ 5-5-40, 5- 5-41 (1982) (30 days, can be extended); Idaho Code § 19-2407 (Supp. 1992) (14 days, can be extended); Iowa Rule Crim. Proc. 23 (1993) (45 days, can be waived); Ky. Rule Crim. Proc. 10.06 (1983) (one year, can be waived); Mass. Rule Crim. Proc. 30 (1979) (no time limit); N. J. Rule Crim. Prac. 3:20-2 (1993) (no time limit); N. Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 440.10(1)(g) (McKinney 1983) (no time limit); N. C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1415(6) (1988) (no time limit); Ohio Rule Crim. Proc. 33A(6), B (1988) (120 days, can be waived); Ore. Rev. Stat. § 136.535 (1991) (five days, can be waived); Pa. Rule Crim. Proc. 1123(d) (1992) (no time limit); S. C. Rule Crim. Proc. 29(b) (Supp. 1991) (no time limit); W. Va. Rule Crim. Proc. 33 (1992) (no time limit).
12 The term "clemency" refers not only to full or conditional pardons, but also commutations, remissions of fines, and reprieves. See Kobil, The Quality of Mercy Strained: Wresting the Pardoning Power from the King, 69 Texas L. Rev. 569, 575-578 (1991).
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