Innocence Project

The Innocence Project was established in the wake of a study by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Senate, in conjunction with Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, which claimed that incorrect identification by eyewitnesses was a factor in over 70% of wrongful convictions.{{cite web|url=http://www.exonerate.org/facts/causes-of-wrongful-convictions/mistaken-eyewitness-identifications/|title=Facts about Wrongful Convictions >>Mistaken Eyewitness Identifications|access-date=December 12, 2006|publisher=Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822012129/http://www.exonerate.org/facts/causes-of-wrongful-convictions/mistaken-eyewitness-identifications/|archive-date=August 22, 2008}}{{Cite web |title=The Innocence Project |url=https://cardozo.yu.edu/innocence-project |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=cardozo.yu.edu |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=O'Sullivan |first=Rory |date=2018-03-08 |title=The Innocence Project: A Short History Since 1983 • |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/perspectives-african-american-history/innocence-project-short-history-1983/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |language=en-US}} The Innocence Project was founded in 1992 by Scheck and Neufeld as part of a law clinic at Cardozo. It became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on January 28, 2003,{{Cite web|url=https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/|title=Public Inquiry - Search Our Corporation and Business Entity Database|website=New York State Department of State, Division of Corporations|access-date=August 11, 2021}} but it maintains institutional connections with Cardozo.{{cite web|url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/about/FAQs.php|title=Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=December 9, 2011|publisher=Innocence Project|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228011313/http://www.innocenceproject.org/about/FAQs.php|archive-date=December 28, 2007}}{{Cite web |last=element |first=Aebra Coe {{!}} 2022-10-27 10:43:14-0400 · Listen to article Your browser does not support the audio |title=Cardozo To Build Justice Center With $15M From Marvel Chair - Law360 Pulse |url=https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1543605/cardozo-to-build-justice-center-with-15m-from-marvel-chair |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.law360.com |language=en}} Madeline deLone was the executive director from 2004 until 2020,{{Cite web|url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Madeline_deLone.php|title=Madeline deLone, Executive Director|website=Innocence Project|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627030642/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Madeline_deLone.php|archive-date=June 27, 2010}}{{Cite web |last1=Avenue |first1=677 Huntington |last2=Boston |last3=Ma 02115 |date=2016-07-19 |title=A Matter of Conviction |url=https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/a-matter-of-conviction/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Harvard Public Health Magazine |language=en-US}} succeeded by Christina Swarns, who argues before the Unted States Supreme Court before joining the group, on September 8, 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-27|title=Innocence Project announces new executive director|url=https://innocenceproject.org/christina-swarns-to-become-the-new-executive-director-of-the-innocence-project/|access-date=2021-02-15|website=Innocence Project|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Leading the Innocence Project |url=https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/news/15144-leading-the-innocence-project |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.law.upenn.edu |language=en}}

The Innocence Project is the headquarters of the Innocence Network, a group of nearly 70 independent innocence organizations worldwide.{{Cite web |title=Innocence Movement, the Innocence Network, and Policy Reform (From Wrongful Conviction and Criminal Justice Reform: Making Justice, 2014, Marvin Zalman and Julia Carrano, eds., See NCJ-244328) {{!}} Office of Justice Programs |url=https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/innocence-movement-innocence-network-and-policy-reform-wrongful |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.ojp.gov}} One such example exists in the Republic of Ireland where in 2009 a project was set up at Griffith College Dublin.{{Cite journal|url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/ucinlr80&div=52&id=&page=|title=The Irish Innocence Project Symposium: An International Exploration of Wrongful Conviction 80 University of Cincinnati Law Review 2011-2012|journal=University of Cincinnati Law Review|volume=80|page=1293|access-date=2017-11-14|last1=Langwallner|first1=David}}{{Cite web |last=Langwallner |first=David |title=The Irish Innocence Project |url=https://scholarship.law.uc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1143&context=uclr |access-date=2012-06-05 |website=University of Cincinnati}}

The Innocence Project's mission is "to free the staggering number of innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment."{{cite web|title=About – Innocence Project|url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/about |website=Innocence Project|access-date=August 11, 2021}}{{Cite web |title=ICJIA {{!}} Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority |url=https://icjia.illinois.gov/grants/programs/illinois-innocence-project/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=icjia.illinois.gov}}

The Innocence Project focuses exclusively on post-conviction appeals in which DNA evidence is available to be tested or retested.{{Cite news|title=Submit a Case to the Innocence Project|url=https://innocenceproject.org/submit-case/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Innocence Project|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Acrobat Accessibility Report |url=https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/250705.pdf |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.ojp.gov |language=en-us}} DNA testing is possible in 5–10% of criminal cases.{{cite web|title=The Innocence Project|url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Issue_in_focus_Evidence_Preservation.php|publisher=Innocence Project|access-date=June 6, 2016|location=New York|year=2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015191928/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Issue_in_focus_Evidence_Preservation.php|archive-date=2010-10-15|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=STATEMENT OF THE INNOCENCE PROJECT |url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/ncfs/legacy/2014/05/13/inno-prj.pdf}} Other members of the Innocence Network also help to exonerate those in whose cases DNA testing is not possible.{{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Saumya |last2=Majumdar |first2=Rima |date=2018 |title=Innocence Project - Righting a Wrong |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/nulj7&id=17&div=&collection= |journal=Nirma University Law Journal |volume=7 |pages=11}}

In addition to working on behalf of those who may have been wrongfully convicted of crimes throughout the United States, those working for the Innocence Project perform research and advocacy related to the causes of wrongful convictions.{{Cite web |title=Innocence Project |url=https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/innocence-project/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=InfluenceWatch |language=en-US}}

Some of the Innocence Project's successes have resulted in releasing people from death row. The successes of the project have fueled American opposition to the death penalty and have likely been a factor in the decision by some American states to institute moratoria on criminal executions.{{cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Brian|title=Quinn signs bill ending death penalty in Illinois - Medill Innocence Project credited with having role in statewide debate|url=http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/quinn-signs-bill-ending-death-penalty-in-illinois-1.2510908|date=March 10, 2011|website=The Daily Northwestern|access-date=June 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314205336/http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/quinn-signs-bill-ending-death-penalty-in-illinois-1.2510908|archive-date=2011-03-14|url-status=dead}}

In District Attorney's Office v. Osborne (2009), U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts wrote that post-conviction challenge "poses questions to our criminal justice systems and our traditional notions of finality better left to elected officials than federal judges." In the opinion, another justice wrote that forensic science has "serious deficiencies." Roberts also said that post-conviction DNA testing risks "unnecessarily overthrowing the established system of criminal justice." Law professor Kevin Jon Heller wrote: "It might lead to a reasonably accurate one."{{cite web|last=Lundin|first=Leigh|title=Dark Justice|url=http://www.criminalbrief.com/?p=7480|website=Criminal Brief|date=June 28, 2009}}

As of June 2018, the Innocence Project's funding sources include 55% from individual contributions, 16% from foundations, 16% from events, 8% from investments, and 5% from corporations, Yeshiva University, and other sources.{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2018|publisher=The Innocence Project|url=https://www.innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IP-AR2018_FINAL.pdf}}

The Innocence Project originated in New York City but accepts cases from other parts of the country.{{refn|Intake is currently closed in Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Puerto Rico}} The majority of clients helped are of low socio-economic status and have used all possible legal options for justice. Many clients hope that DNA evidence will prove their innocence, as the emergence of DNA testing allows those who have been wrongly convicted of crimes to challenge their cases. The Innocence Project also works with the local, state and federal levels of law enforcement, legislators, and other programs to prevent further wrongful convictions.{{Cite web |title=Innocence Project New Orleans partners with JusticeText to litigate wrongful conviction cases |url=https://justicetext.com/ipno/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=justicetext.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Innocence Project |url=https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/profiles/786-innocence-project |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=www.law.upenn.edu |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Los Angeles Innocence Project partners with Cal State LA to fight for wrongfully convicted |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/video/los-angeles-innocence-project-partners-with-cal-state-la-to-fight-for-wrongfully-convicted/ |publisher=CBS News|access-date=2023-06-06 |language=en-US}}

All potential clients go through an extensive screening process to determine whether or not they are likely to be innocent. If they pass the process, the Innocence Project takes up their case, resources permitting. About 2,400 prisoners write to the Innocence Project annually, and at any given time the Innocence Project is evaluating 6,000 to 8,000 potential cases. In addition to their co-directors and a managing attorney, the Innocence Project has six full-time staff attorneys and nearly 300 active cases.{{Cite web|title=Contact/FAQ|url=https://innocenceproject.org/contact/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Innocence Project|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Project |first=Innocence |title=Eyewitness Identification {{!}} NYXT |url=http://www.nyxt.nyc/innocence-project/eyewitness-identification/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Eyewitness Identification {{!}} NYXT}}

In almost half of the cases that the Innocence Project takes on, the clients' guilt is reconfirmed by DNA testing. Of all the cases taken on by the Innocence Project so far, about 43% of clients were proven innocent, 42% were confirmed guilty, and evidence was inconclusive and not probative in 15% of cases. In about 40% of all DNA exoneration cases, law enforcement officials identified the actual perpetrator based on the same DNA test results that led to an exoneration.{{cite web |url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/How_often_do_DNA_tests_prove_innocence_in_your_cases_Does_testing_ever_prove_guilt.php |title=How often do DNA tests prove innocence in your cases? Does testing ever prove guilt? — The Innocence Project |publisher=Innocenceproject.org |access-date=2015-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105175457/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/How_often_do_DNA_tests_prove_innocence_in_your_cases_Does_testing_ever_prove_guilt.php |archive-date=2015-01-05 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Social Justice & Racism - Temple Sinai Summit |url=https://www.templesinainj.org/social-justice-and-racism |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=www.templesinainj.org}}

Overall, the Innocence Project's DNA exonerations identified several contributors of wrongful convictions, including mistaken eyewitness identifications, invalid forensic science, false confessions, informants who lied, and government misconduct. B. Garrett (2011). Convicting the Innocent. Harvard University Press.

{{as of|2022|January}}, 375 people previously convicted of serious crimes in the United States had been exonerated by DNA testing since 1989, 21 of whom had been sentenced to death.{{cite web |title=DNA Exonerations in the United States |url=https://www.innocenceproject.org/dna-exonerations-in-the-united-states/ |website=Innocence Project |access-date=17 November 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Bruenig |first=Elizabeth |date=2021-06-09 |title=Not That Innocent |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/innocence-project-death-row/619132/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}} Almost all (99%) of the wrongful convictions involved male defendants{{cite web|url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Female_DNA_Exonerees_Represent_Only_a_Few_of_the_Women_Who_Have_Been_Wrongfully_Convicted_Nationwide.php|title=Female DNA Exonerees Represent Only a Few of the Women Who Have Been Wrongfully Convicted Nationwide|publisher=The Innocence Project|access-date=January 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405100201/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Female_DNA_Exonerees_Represent_Only_a_Few_of_the_Women_Who_Have_Been_Wrongfully_Convicted_Nationwide.php|archive-date=2012-04-05|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=Innocence Project – Dipping Into Light |url=https://dippingintolight.com/scheck-barry-1949/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |language=en-US}} with minority groups making up approximately 70% (61% African American and 8% Latino).{{Cite news |last=Kanu |first=Hassan |date=2022-09-27 |title=Rising number of false convictions shows stark racial patterns |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/rising-number-false-convictions-shows-stark-racial-patterns-2022-09-27/ |access-date=2023-06-06}}{{Cite web |title=Systemic Injustice in the Criminal Justice System {{!}} Comparative Studies 1100 Autumn 2021 (Calderon Ortiz) |url=https://u.osu.edu/cs1100au21calderonortiz/2021/11/06/systemic-injustice-in-the-criminal-justice-system/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=u.osu.edu}} The National Registry of Exonerations lists 2,939 convicted defendants who were exonerated through DNA and non-DNA evidence from January, 1989 through January, 2022 with more than 25,600 years imprisoned.{{cite web |title=The National Registry of Exonerations |publisher=Michigan Law|url=http://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/about.aspx}}

According to a study published in 2014, at least 4.1% of persons overall sentenced to death from 1973 to 2004 are probably innocent.{{cite web |title=More than 4% of death row inmates wrongly convicted, study says|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 29, 2014|url=http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-study-claims-41-of-death-row-convictions-are-in-error-20140428-story.html}} The following are some examples of exonerations they helped bring about:

• Steven Avery was exonerated in 2003 after serving 18 years in prison for sexual assault.{{cite web | url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/cases-false-imprisonment/steven-avery | title= Steven Avery|publisher= The Innocence Project }}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-27 |title='Making A Murderer's' Steven Avery Demands Review Of Latest Decision In His Case |url=https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/making-a-murderers-steven-avery-seeks-wisconsin-supreme-court-review |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Oxygen Official Site |language=en-US}} Following his release, he was convicted of murder.{{cite news |title=Avery found guilty of killing woman |first=Tom |last=Kertscher |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/29388834.html |date=March 19, 2007 |access-date=January 15, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023221942/http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/29388834.html |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}{{Cite web |title=Steven Avery - National Registry of Exonerations |url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3003 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.law.umich.edu}}
• Cornelius Dupree was convicted of sexual assault and robbery in 1980 and was exonerated in 2011 by the Innocence Project through DNA evidence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3193|title=Cornelius Dupree, Jr.|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=2012}}{{Cite web |title=Cornelius Dupree |url=https://www.chron.com/exonerees/stories/cornelius-dupree/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Chron |language=en}}
• Douglas Echols and Samuel Scott were convicted in 1987 of sexual assault and robbery, and exonerated in 2002 by DNA evidence by the Innocence Project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3623|title=Samuel Scott|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=2012}}{{Cite web |title=Douglas Echols - Innocents Database of Exonerations |url=http://forejustice.org/db/Echols--Douglas-.html |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=forejustice.org}}
• Clarence Elkins was convicted in 1999 for rape and murder, and exonerated by DNA evidence in 2005; defended by Ohio Innocence Project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3202|title=Clarence Elkins|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=2012}}{{Cite web |title=Wrongfully convicted man challenges Ohio's giving IRS his prison medical records |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/02/wrongfully-convicted-man-challenges-ohio/23718232007/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}
• Ryan Ferguson was convicted in 2005 for a 2001 murder, and exonerated in 2013 because the prosecution withheld exculpatory evidence and the witnesses who testified against him recanted their testimony; defended by Missouri Innocence Project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=4304|title=Ryan Ferguson|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=November 14, 2013}}
• Glenn Ford was exonerated in 2014 in the murder of Isadore Newman. Ford, an African American, had been convicted by an all-white jury without any physical evidence linking him to the crime and with testimony withheld. He served 30 years on death row in Angola Prison before his release.{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Dan|author1-link=Dan Harris (journalist)|last2=Yu|first2=Katie|last3=Effron|first3=Lauren|title=Exonerated Death Row Inmate Meets the Former Prosecutor Who Put Him There|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/exonerated-death-row-inmate-meets-prosecutor-put/story?id=30399619|access-date=April 18, 2015|work=Nightline|agency=ABC|date=April 18, 2015}}
• Darryl Hunt was exonerated in 2004 after serving {{frac|19|1|2}} years in prison of a life sentence for the rape and murder of a newspaper copy editor, Deborah Sykes.{{cite web|url=http://truthinjustice.org/hunt-exonerated.htm |title=Hunt exonerated |author=Zerwick, Phoebe |date=February 6, 2004 |publisher=Winston Salem Journal |access-date=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429011312/http://www.truthinjustice.org/hunt-exonerated.htm |archive-date=April 29, 2013 }}Zerwick, Phoebe (2003) [http://www.journalnow.com/app/specialreports/hunt/about.html "Murder, Race, Justice: The State vs. Darryl Hunt"] Journal Now
• Michael Morton was convicted of murder in 1987, spent over 24 years in prison, and exonerated through DNA and withholding of evidence in 2011 with help from the Innocence Project. In 2013 his prosecutor was convicted of withholding evidence, agreed to disbarment, and spent 4 days in jail.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3834|title=Michael Morton|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=2012}}
• Anthony Porter was convicted of murder in 1983, and exonerated in 1999 by the Medill Innocence Project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3544|title=Anthony Porter|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=2012}}
• James Calvin Tillman was exonerated in 2007 after an investigation begun by the Innocence Project, and after serving {{frac|16|1|2}} years in prison for a rape he did not commit. His sentence was 45 years.[https://innocenceproject.org/cases/james-tillman/ James Tillman – 17 Years in Prison: Innocent] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627033312/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/James_Tillman.php |date=2010-06-27 }} Innocence Project{{Cite web |last=Borsuk |first=Ken |date=2018-10-10 |title=Innocence Project brings message of healing to Greenwich |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Innocence-Project-brings-message-of-healing-to-13297447.php |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=GreenwichTime |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110070216/https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Innocence-Project-brings-message-of-healing-to-13297447.php |url-status=dead }}
• Archie Williams was convicted in 1983 of sexual assault and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, but was exonerated in 2019 due to DNA evidence after over three decades in prison.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2021/apr/1/after-36-years-louisiana-prison-rape-he-didnt-commit-archie-williams-wins-freedom-and-tv-show-spotlight/|title = After 36 Years in a Louisiana Prison for a Rape He Didn't Commit, Archie Williams Wins Freedom — and a TV Show Spotlight | Prison Legal News}}
• Ken Wyniemko was convicted in 1994 of sexual assault, and exonerated in 2003 through DNA evidence by the Innocence Project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3769|title=Kenneth Wyniemko|website=National Registry of Exonerations|date=2012}}
• Michael Sutton and Kenny Phillips went out for Phillips' birthday in May 2006, they were wrongfully arrested and incarcerated for 15 years. In 2023, their attempted murder convictions were overturned and the University of Akron granted them full scholarships to earn their college degrees.{{Cite web |last=Negussie |first=Tesfaye |date=March 10, 2023 |title=Two wrongfully convicted men granted scholarships to University of Akron |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wrongfully-convicted-men-granted-scholarships-university-akron/story?id=97772042 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
• Leonard Mack was exonerated of rape and gun charges after 47 years due to DNA evidence.{{Cite web |title=Leonard Mack - National Registry of Exonerations |url=https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=6651 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.law.umich.edu}}{{Cite web |last=Propper |first=David |date=2023-09-06 |title=Leonard Mack exonerated of 1975 rape of teen girl in Westchester |url=https://nypost.com/2023/09/05/leonard-mack-exonerated-of-1975-rape-of-teen-girl-in-westchester/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=nypost.com |language=en-US}} Mack's wrongful conviction was the longest to be vacated due to advanced DNA testing.{{Cite web |title=Hit in DNA Database Proves Leonard Mack's Innocence After 47 Years of Wrongful Conviction |url=https://innocenceproject.org/hit-in-dna-database-proves-leonard-macks-innocence-after-47-years-of-wrongful-conviction/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Innocence Project}}
• Perry Lott served 30 years in prison for rape and burglary charges before being cleared after DNA testing.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=Oklahoma man who spent 30 years in prison for rape is exonerated after DNA testing: "I have never lost hope" - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/perry-lott-30-years-prison-oklahoma-rape-exonerated-after-dna-testing/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=After 35 Years, Perry Lott Receives Delayed Justice - Oklahoma Watch |language=en-US |work=Oklahoma Watch |url=https://oklahomawatch.org/newsletter/after-35-years-perry-lott-receives-delayed-justice/ |access-date=2023-11-14}}{{Cite web |last=Greco |first=Jonathan |date=2023-10-10 |title=Oklahoma man exonerated after being wrongfully convicted in 1988 of rape, burglary |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-ada-perry-lott-exonerated-rape-burglary-wrongful-conviction/45496829 |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=KOCO |language=en}}

The Innocence Project is a founding member of the Innocence Network, a coalition of independent organizations and advocates, including law schools, journalism schools, and public defense offices that collaborate to help convicted felons prove their innocence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/04/9688774/what-is-innocence-project-files|title=How You Can Help The Innocence Project — The Advocates Behind Netflix's New Docuseries|first=Elly|last=Belle|website=Refinery29|date=April 15, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.innocencenetwork.org/category/who-we-are |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730224058/https://www.innocencenetwork.org/category/who-we-are |archive-date=2021-07-30 |title=Innocence Network - Our Story |website=Innocence Network |access-date=August 11, 2021}} {{As of|2021}}, there were 68 organizations in the network, operating in all 50 US states and 12 other countries, and had helped exonerate 625 people.{{Cite web|url=https://innocenceproject.org/build/|title=Innocence Network|website=Innocence Project|access-date=August 11, 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Illinois Innocence Project to mark Wrongful Conviction Day with events |url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/education/2020/10/01/illinois-innocence-project-to-mark-wrongful-conviction-day-with-events/42826953/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The State Journal-Register |language=en-US}}

In South Africa, the Wits Justice Project investigates South African incarcerations. In partnership with the Wits Law Clinic, the Julia Mashele Trust, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC), the US Innocence Project, and the Justice Project investigate individual cases of prisoners wrongly convicted or awaiting trial.{{cite web|last=Gordin|first=Jeremy|title=The Justice Project|url=http://www.journalism.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1596&Itemid=506|publisher=Wits Journalism Programme|access-date=2011-01-04|location=Witwatersrand, SA|date=August 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2021}}{{Cite web |last=cdaniel |title=Innocence Project South Africa Archives |url=https://law.scu.edu/tags/innocence-project-south-africa/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Santa Clara Law |language=en-US}}

• After Innocence (2005) is a documentary featuring the stories of eight wrongfully convicted men who were exonerated by the Innocence Project.{{Citation |last=Sanders |first=Jessica |title=After Innocence |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436039/ |type=Documentary |access-date=2023-06-05 |publisher=American Film Foundation, Showtime Independent Films, Showtime Networks}}{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Jessica |title=After Innocence {{!}} Film Review {{!}} Spirituality & Practice |url=https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/10044/after-innocence |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.spiritualityandpractice.com |language=en}}
• Conviction (2010) is a film about the exoneration of Kenneth Waters, who was a client of the Innocence Project. Hilary Swank plays Waters' sister Betty Anne, who went to college and law school to fight for his freedom, and Sam Rockwell plays Waters. Barry Scheck is portrayed by Peter Gallagher.{{Cite news |last=Aitkenhead |first=Decca |date=2010-12-11 |title=Betty Anne Waters: 'We thought Kenny was coming home' |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/dec/11/betty-anne-waters-interview |access-date=2023-06-05 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=Go Behind the Story of CONVICTION with The Innocence Project |url=https://www.searchlightpictures.com/news/go-behind-the-story-of-conviction-with-the-innocence-project/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Searchlight Pictures}}{{Cite web |title=Jury Rules Against 'Conviction' {{!}} Arts {{!}} The Harvard Crimson |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/10/19/conviction-kenny-betty-swanks/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.thecrimson.com}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5eSptKGJKw Happiest Moments] (2021) is a Webby Award winning video by Innocence Project. Its the organization's first-ever public service announcement, produced by Hayden5.[https://innocenceproject.org/innocence-project-honored-with-two-webby-anthem-awards-dedicates-action-speech-to-melissa-lucio-on-texas-death-row/#:~:text=(New%20York%2C%20NY%20—%20March,by%20the%20renowned%20Webbys%20Awards. Innocence Project Honored With Two Webby Anthem Awards, Dedicates Action Speech to Melissa Lucio on Texas Death Row] at Innocence Project; published March 1, 2022; retrieved May 11, 2022{{Cite web |title=Happiest Moments - The Shorty Awards |url=http://shortyawards.com/14th/happiest-moments |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=shortyawards.com}}

• In his nonfiction book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town (2006), John Grisham recounted the cases of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, who were assisted on appeal by the Innocence Project and freed by DNA evidence after being wrongfully convicted of the murder of Debra Ann Carter.

• Serial in its first season referenced the Innocence Project in episode 7 when Deirdre Enright, director of investigation for the Innocence Project at the University of Virginia School of Law, and a team of law students analyzed the case against Adnan Syed.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Lisa |date=2022-09-20 |title=Innocence Project: Problem of wrongful convictions is systemwide |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/adnan-syed-conviction-vacated-innocent-project/41300199 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=WBAL |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-21 |title='Serial' Subject Adnan Syed, Who Was Aided by Innocence Project at UVA Law, Released From Prison |url=https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/202209/serial-subject-adnan-syed-who-was-aided-innocence-project-uva-law-released-prison |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=University of Virginia School of Law |language=en}}

• Castle, an American television series, in the episode "Like Father, Like Daughter" (season 6, episode 7), mentioned the Innocence Project, as well as Frank Henson who was wrongfully convicted in 1998 of the death of Kimberly Tolbert.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |first4= |date=2010-12-13 |title=Starr report |url=https://nypost.com/2010/12/13/starr-report-2004/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |language=en-US}}
• The Innocence Project, a BBC One drama series that aired from 2006 to 2007, is based on a UK version of the organization.{{cite news|author=Smallman, Etan| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/student_life/article1685105.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007213839/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/student_life/article1685105.ece|archive-date=2008-10-07|url-status=deviated|title=The Innocence Squad: Etan Smallman meets five students forgoing the pub and lie-ins to devote their time to investigating alleged miscarriages of justice|newspaper=Times Online|date= April 23, 2007|access-date=April 4, 2023}}
• The Innocence Project was discussed in season 2, episode 9 of The Good Wife, "Nine Hours" (December 14, 2010). Project co-founder Barry Scheck played himself in the episode, which was largely based on the actual Innocence Project case of Cameron Todd Willingham. Cary Agos, a recurring character on The Good Wife, is written to have worked for the Innocence Project after law school (and is a family friend of Scheck's).{{cite web|title=Scheck on "The Good Wife" |publisher=The Innocence Project Blog |url=http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Tune_in_Tonight_Scheck_on_The_Good_Wife.php |access-date=June 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803001838/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Tune_in_Tonight_Scheck_on_The_Good_Wife.php |archive-date=August 3, 2012 }}{{Cite web |title=This founder of The Innocence Project once appeared on The Good Wife |url=https://www.starttv.com/stories/this-founder-of-the-innocence-project-once-appeared-on-the-good-wife |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Start TV}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-12-15 |title='The Good Wife' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/show-tracker/story/2010-12-15/the-good-wife-recap-it-has-to-be-right |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
• In season six of Suits, a US legal dramedy, law student and paralegal Rachel Zane takes on an Innocence Project for a man wrongfully accused of murder.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-18 |title=Catching Up With Former U.S. Attorney Zane Memeger '91 |url=https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/201708/catching-former-us-attorney-zane-memeger-%E2%80%9991 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=University of Virginia School of Law |language=en |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605202448/https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/201708/catching-former-us-attorney-zane-memeger-%E2%80%9991 |url-status=dead }}
• In season three of Riverdale, a dark reimagining of the Archie Comics universe, Veronica Lodge mentions starting a chapter of the organization to help free her boyfriend Archie Andrews from prison following being falsely convicted of murder.{{Cite web |last=Henehan |first=Billy |date=2018-10-24 |title=Syndicated Comics |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/archie-andrews-jailbird-riverdale-s3e2-recap/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The Beat |language=en-US}}
• Making a Murderer, a two-season (of 10 episodes each) documentary relating Steven Avery wrongful conviction. The episodes were released on Netflix between 2015 and 2018.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-27 |title='Making A Murderer's' Steven Avery Demands Review Of Latest Decision In His Case |url=https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/making-a-murderers-steven-avery-seeks-wisconsin-supreme-court-review |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Oxygen Official Site |language=en-US}}
• The Innocence Files (2020) is a series of nine documentary films based on the work of the Innocence Project, released on Netflix in April 2020.{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=2020-04-15 |title=The Innocence Files: a shocking Netflix series on wrongful convictions |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/15/the-innocence-files-shocking-netflix-series-wrongful-convictions |access-date=2023-06-05 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=Watch The Innocence Files {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/80214563 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}}
• Quantum Leap, in the episode "Ben Song for the Defense" the Innocence Project is mentioned after Ben, having leapt into a public defender, successfully defends a teenager wrongfully accused of killing a gang recruiter.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-13 |title=Quantum Leap Season 1 Episode 15 Review: Ben Song For The Defense |url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/2023/03/quantum-leap-season-1-episode-15-review-ben-song-for-the-defense/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=TV Fanatic |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Povey |first=Jennifer R. |date=2023-03-29 |title=Quantum Leap Episode Review — Season One, Episode 15 "Ben Song For The Defense" |url=https://medium.com/views-of-other-planes/quantum-leap-episode-review-season-one-episode-15-ben-song-for-the-defense-297b5a88ee38 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Views of Other Planes |language=en}}
• The Innocent Man (2018) is a Netflix mini series composed of six episodes based on the Grisham nonfiction book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town.{{Cite magazine |date=2018-12-14 |title=The Story Behind Netflix's True Crime Series 'The Innocent Man' |url=https://time.com/5476081/the-innocent-man-netflix-true-story/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |magazine=Time |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Watch The Innocent Man {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/80187030 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.netflix.com |language=en}}{{Citation |title=The Innocent Man |date=2018-12-14 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914376/ |type=Documentary, Crime |access-date=2023-06-09 |others=Heather McPhaul, John Grisham, Erik Anthony Russo |publisher=Campfire, The Gernert Company}}
• Psych, an American television series, the episode "True Grits" (season 6, episode 15), featured a character exonerated by the Innocence Project. {{Cite web|url=https://innocenceproject.org/wrongful-conviction-featured-in-tonights-episode-of-psych/|title=Wrongful Conviction Featured in Tonight's Episode of "Psych"|website=Innocence Project}}

• Miscarriage of justice
• List of miscarriage of justice cases
• List of wrongful convictions in the United States
• Innocent prisoner's dilemma

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Alaska Innocence Project
• California Innocence Project
• Georgia Innocence Project
• Illinois Innocence Project
• Innocence Canada
• Investigating Innocence
• The Justice Project (Australia)
• Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP){{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
• Medill Innocence Project, Illinois
• Nebraska Innocence Project
• Pennsylvania Innocence Project{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
• Texas Innocence Project{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Skeptoid | id= 4821| number= 821| title=Forensic (Pseudo) Science | date= 1 March 2022| access-date=15 May 2022}}

• {{Official website|http://www.innocenceproject.org/}}
• [https://www.innocencenetwork.org/ Innocence Network]
• [http://www.innocencenetwork.org.uk Innocence Network UK (INUK)] – An organisation to facilitate casework on alleged wrongful convictions by innocence projects
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070403005815/http://www.innocent.org.uk/ Innocent.org.uk]}} – Website of UK cases of alleged and proven miscarriages of justice

{{Yeshiva University}}

{{O. J. Simpson murder trial}}

{{Miscarriage of Justice}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Innocence Project}}

Category:Criminal defense organizations

Category:DNA profiling techniques

Category:Government watchdog groups in the United States

Category:Legal advocacy organizations in the United States

Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City

Category:Organizations established in 1992

Category:Overturned convictions in the United States

Category:Prison-related organizations

Category:Yeshiva University