description The Innocence Project Overview
The Innocence Project works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and legal representation. They advocate for systemic reforms to prevent future wrongful convictions, including improving eyewitness identification procedures and addressing prosecutorial misconduct. Their work highlights flaws in the criminal justice system and fights for fairness and justice for those who have been wrongly imprisoned.
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The Innocence Project ranks #2 of 16 in the Investigation ranking, behind True Crime Podcast: Serial, ahead of Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report.
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What criteria does the Innocence Project use to take a case?
The Innocence Project typically takes cases where there is a viable avenue for post-conviction DNA testing to prove actual innocence. They primarily focus on individuals serving lengthy prison sentences for serious felonies, prioritizing those who have exhausted their direct appeals.
Who founded the Innocence Project?
The organization was founded in 1992 by civil rights attorneys Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld. It was originally established as a legal clinic at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.
Does the Innocence Project only handle DNA cases?
While they are best known for using DNA evidence to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals, the broader Innocence Network handles non-DNA cases as well. These cases often involve exposing false confessions, invalidated forensic science, or official misconduct.
How does the Innocence Project advocate for systemic reform?
Beyond individual exonerations, the organization actively lobbies for policy changes to prevent future wrongful convictions. They advocate for recording interrogations, improving eyewitness identification procedures, and compensating exonerees for their time served.
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