Non-DNA Innocence Case Expansion Program

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 FY15 (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 Innocence Project of Florida will use the award to increase its capacity of in-office and field investigations, as well as its use of expert services, in order to provide for more robust acceptance and litigation of non-DNA wrongful conviction cases. The funds will support costs for an in-house investigator and intake coordinator, as well as secure expert services such as court testimony and forensic re-analysis.

CA/NCF