Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $98,371)
The purpose of the Wrongful Prosecution Review Program is to provide high quality and efficient representation for potentially wrongfully convicted defendants in post-conviction claims of innocence. This program is funded under the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8).
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) will increase the ability of attorneys representing individuals in post conviction claims of innocence to efficiently and effectively evaluate and litigate cases that do not involve DNA. They will provide training that focuses on evaluating and litigating post-conviction claims of innocence involving evidence other than DNA. The training will cover a number of forensic science areas, including ballistics, fingerprints, hair microscopy, impressions and other primary contributors to wrongful convictions. NACDL will also train on topics like evaluating non-DNA innocence claims; eye-witness misidentification issues; evaluating and challenging post-arrest statements; and investigating and challenging unvalidated or improper scientific techniques. CA/NCF