We are proud to announce the launch of
"2023 Project Free the Innocent: Journey to Justice"
I am often asked, "What can I do to help stop wrongful convictions or help those already wrongfully convicted?" To this end, we invite you to join us for our 2023-24 Project Free the Innocent: Journey to Justice. We will be dedicated to offering as many modalities as possible for you to contribute to raising awareness about wrongful convictions, exposing injustice, or furthering your own case or one for which you advocate.—Liz Franklin, Founding Director, Wrongful Convictions News™
We will be compiling a treasure trove of resources to help you with a variety of topics specific to the wrongfully convicted community, all cataloged here in one place: C.O.R.e. Catalog of Resources electronic.
Here are just a handful of the resources already on the list of the modalities that we will be indexing. However, in order to do this successfully, we are asking for your help. As we start compiling resources that we feel will help those who are navigating their journey to justice, we'd like to know if you have any resources to add. Whether it be legal help, help with issues concerning law enforcement, how to hire the right attorney for your case, finding the right investigator for your situation, online Bible study groups where you can learn how to apply the Scripture to the daily life of the wrongfully convicted and their advocates, or how to volunteer hands-on, remotely, or financially, etc. If it is a resource that you recommend (and preferably have first-hand knowledge of) we want to hear from you.
You can easily recommend a resource by clicking the "submit a resource" button below.
Welcome to CORe
How to create an official Innocence Club at your high school or college/university, click here.
As an innocence club, one of your primary functions is to educate and raise awareness in your community about wrongful convictions and actual innocence.
How to write an effective clemency request letter
How to contact the right people and what communication mode is best. Also, what's the best way to follow up.
First impressions are everything. How long should your first contact be—or rather, how short?
A ½ page of attention-getting facts or a lifelong manifesto—which one do you think an intake specialist is more likely to read and which one will be read st?
We incorporate the interrelated and imperative concepts of healing and justice to address the widespread harm caused by systemic failures that result in wrongful convictions.
How to become a proactive advocate.
Give the person you champion the best you have, whatever your situation may be.
Join or organize a Rally.
Covert Ops Jury Investigations, LLC
To determine if there was jury misconduct at play.
This is a good resource for those who feel they're out of options. It can get you back in court...which should be your ultimate goal.
How to successfully use social media to further your WC cause.
District Attorneys play a major role in investigating and prosecuting cases, which is why it's important to learn more about the District Attorneys in your state.
The Police Scorecard is the first nationwide public evaluation of law enforcement.
The Scorecard calculates levels of police violence,
accountability, racial bias and other policing outcomes covering nearly 100% of
the US population.
How to create and/or host a successful speaking engagement/guest lecture, presentation, rally, protest, fundraiser, etc.
The Registry provides detailed information about every known exoneration in the United States since 1989—
cases in which a person was wrongly convicted of a crime and later cleared of all the charges based on new evidence of innocence.
Above all, PRAY! Make your own prayer list for those you see fighting for their freedom in Wrongful Convictions News™ and other platforms.
Click here for our partner resource Justice through Prayer™.
A one stop shop for all that is the death penalty. Check out The Death Penalty Census for DPIC's effort to identify and document every death sentence imposed in the United States since the United States Supreme Court decided Furman v. Georgia in 1972. The Census currently lists more than 9,700 sentences imposed between 1972 and January 1, 2021, click here.
Outrageous Justice is a six-lesson study for small groups created by Prison Fellowship. The study is designed to raise awareness among Christians about the need for a criminal justice system that restores.
How to manage your way through the FOIA to request the documents you need to further your case.
Muckrock is a non-profit that provides a repository of hundreds of thousands of pages of original government materials, information on how to file requests, and tools to make the requesting process easier.
The Exoneration Project (EP) provides free legal services to fight for the wrongfully convicted and free the innocent.
The Exoneration Project is one of the best-funded, largest, and most successful innocence projects in the country.
Donate funding or become a supporter.
Most organizations having to do with wrongful convictions are non-profits and as such they
are all usually in much need of funding. You can donate directly or attend
their annual fund raiser.
One of the most important actions you can take to help stop wrongful convictions is to do your homework before you vote.
Decide who you are going to vote for before you go, especially for the positions of District Attorneys and Judges. Two elected officials many people don't do much research on but could one day be a matter of life or death to you or a loved one.
History demonstrates that people are capable of extraordinary things when they have the freedom and opportunity to learn, contribute, and succeed.
But too often, barriers of all kinds stand in the way of people realizing their potential. By supporting and inspiring social entrepreneurs, we empower the people who break these barriers so that every person can live a life of meaning and purpose.
Audit the Audit sorts out the who and what and the right and wrong of police interactions.
They explore the laws, regulations, and violations showcased in first amendment audits, police interactions, and legislation.
Volunteer.
Can You Recant Your Confession?
Anyone who makes a statement to the police has
the option of retracting or recanting such testimony. However, there are
limits.
FOIA
The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonpartisan law and policy institute.
We strive to uphold the values of democracy. We stand for equal justice and the rule of law. We work to craft and advance reforms that will make American democracy work, for all.