Expanding LAJ's Legal Department to Combat Wrongful Convictions Caused by Incentivized Informants

Life After Justice (LAJ) is one of the few innocence organizations founded and led by people of color who have themselves endured wrongful convictions. This lived experience is pivotal to our mission to eradicate wrongful convictions. Central to their efforts is addressing the role of incentivized informants in wrongful convictions, an issue that is intertwined with our leaders personal experiences. LAJ is committed to tackling this issue from two angles: strategic litigation and data-driven research. No other innocence organization in the country specializes in investigating, litigating, and studying wrongful convictions based on incentivized informants. Through this grant, LAJ aims to enhance its capacity to identify, investigate, and litigate non-DNA wrongful convictions involving incentivized informants. LAJ’s specialized understanding of the issues and challenges in these cases stems from our ongoing research project initiated in 2023, which examines the role of incentivized informants in known wrongful convictions. The preliminary results of their research project have highlighted the need to increase their investigation and litigation of cases involving incentivized informants. Currently, LAJ is actively investigating six cases involving incentivized informants and representing four individuals in Virginia and Massachusetts who were convicted based on false incentivized testimony. This dual focus on litigation and research ensures our work comprehensively addresses the complex challenges posed using incentivized informants in wrongful convictions. The issues that arise in the casework guide the research strategy and the results of our research bolster our litigation efforts. LAJ’s litigation team consists of three post-conviction attorneys and a pro-bono attorney licensed across different states. LAJ seeks to transition its part-time staff attorney into a full-time role, hire a legal fellow, and conduct three summer internship programs. Additionally, LAJ aims to establish a fund to cover the costs of investigations and expert consultations necessary for litigation. Key activities of this proposal include specialized case intake, thorough case investigation, consultation with experts, and litigation. As a nationwide organization, LAJ will co-counsel with local organizations and defense counsel for all cases investigated and litigated. LAJ currently serves as co-counsel in cases with two well-established innocence organizations in Massachusetts and defense counsel in Virginia. Through enhanced staffing and additional resources for investigation and expert consultation, LAJ aims to prevent and remedy wrongful convictions based on unreliable incentivized informants by investigating and litigating cases.