UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - After nearly 20 years behind bars, Steven Barnes is released. So what's being done for others like him?

We spoke with former judge and current private attorney Robert Julian who says the Steven Barnes case proves a need to look back at all circumstantial cases involving DNA, whether that DNA evidence had been examined before or not.

While DNA testing is costly and takes time, Julian says the judicial system can't afford one wrongful conviction that goes unaddressed.

Julian says asking The Innocence Project and other non-profit's or incarcerated individuals themselves to be responsible for that cost is in his words inappropriate.

The Barnes case in Julian's eyes should be a wake-up call for every involved with the justice system.

"It should constitute a change for the New York State legislature and governor who make criminal justice policies," Julian said. "It should be a change for the incoming Chief Judge of the State of New York. It should be a change for each prosecutor in the state."

Julian isn't optimistic that the state will address this anytime soon given its dysfunction and budget crisis.

This was taken up by the Bar Association back in June. The Blue Ribbon Task Force is studying proliferation of wrongful convictions and will issue a report in April of 2009.