About

THE IMPRISONED

INNOCENT USING DNA

TESTING AND

ANALYSIS

THE PUBLIC ABOUT

THE PROBLEM OF

WRONGFUL

CONVICTIONS

PRACTICES TO

PREVENT OTHERS

FROM SUFFERING

THE SAME FATE

THE EXONERATED

WITH RESOURCES TO

HELP REBUILD

THEIR LIVES

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 7,100 requests for assistance, including 1,400 from Alabama.

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.