OUR MISSION
FREE
THE IMPRISONED
INNOCENT USING DNA
TESTING AND
ANALYSIS
EDUCATE
THE PUBLIC ABOUT
THE PROBLEM OF
WRONGFUL
CONVICTIONS
ADVANCE
PRACTICES TO
PREVENT OTHERS
FROM SUFFERING
THE SAME FATE
CONNECT
THE EXONERATED
WITH RESOURCES TO
HELP REBUILD
THEIR LIVES
WE ARE A VOICE FOR THE IMPRISONED INNOCENT
Studies estimate that an astounding 3-5% of men and women in prison are innocent of the crimes for which they are imprisoned. Some of the most frequent factors leading to wrongful convictions include government misconduct, eyewitness misidentification, inadequate defense, incentivized informants, false confessions, and flawed forensic science.
The Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) investigates criminal convictions where modern DNA testing was not available at the time of trial. If there is a compelling claim of innocence and DNA evidence still exists, GIP litigates to test that DNA and prove actual innocence. Since its inception, GIP has received more than 7,400 requests for assistance.
Volunteer attorneys and law student interns investigate these cases and prepare them for litigation under the supervision of Executive Director Clare Gilbert. GIP supervises anywhere from 4 to 15 law student interns each semester. Over 150 students from law schools around the country have refined their investigation and litigation skills at GIP. Many have gone on to practice criminal law, either as defense attorneys or prosecutors. GIP also relies on volunteers to facilitate a range of assignments.