Enhancing Investigation Methods in Post-Conviction Claims of Innocence

The purpose of the Wrongful Conviction 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 FY14 (BJA - Wrongful Conviction Review) Pub. L. No. 113-76, 128 Stat. 5, 62. Post-conviction innocence claims are likely to include complex challenges to the reliability or accuracy of evidence presented at trial which fall mainly into three categories: eyewitness identification evidence; confession evidence; and forensic evidence. The goals of this initiative are to provide quality representation to those who may have been wrongfully convicted; alleviate burdens placed on the criminal justice system through costly and prolonged post-conviction litigation; and identify, whenever possible, the actual perpetrator of the crime.

The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project will use its grant to continue to provide pro bono investigative and legal assistance to prisoners with viable claims of innocence in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. In order to more effectively manage its caseload, the grantee will use award funds to support an investigator, document retrieval costs, and expert review in select cases.

CA/NCF