Resources: Legal Resources
PARC corresponds with and mails a directory of these resources to prisoners, their friends and family members. We are often the first point of contact for people to connect with prisoners' rights organizations, community organizations, prison literature and arts projects, family and visiting resources, health care and legal resources, parole and pre-release resources, and the prison abolition movement.
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Great North Innocence Project Reviews wrongful convication cases where newly discovered evidence is identified and can provide clear and convincing proof of actual innocence. Actual innocence means the defendant played on role in the commission sof the crime. Serves Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota only. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project The Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project is a law student clinic providing service to indigent inmates, including advocacy for those charged with violating prison regulations, people appearing before Parole Board and disciplinary hearings, and research assistance for domestic post-conviction. Because this program is university-affiliated, it may not be staffed during transitional periods in the academic schedule. Collect calls accepted. Provides administrative advocacy, not litigation; they do not take on any direct legal represention. Serves people in Mass only. |
Legal Resources |
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Hawaii Innocence Project Legal non-profit clinic accepts applications from anyone who has been convicted of a crime occurring in Hawai'i AND is factually innocent of that crime. Applications can be downloaded from the website or can be mailed to you. Serves Hawaii only. Expect delays in the summer and due to covid. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Idaho Innocence Project Idaho prisoners with at least 5 years remaining on their sentence must write a letter directly for assistance, clearly stating his or her innocence. The project accepts only post-conviction cases from prisoners who do not currently have legal counsel. They will respond to the letter and let the prisoner know if any further information is needed before making a decision about their case. Do not send any legal documents or originals. Serves Idaho Only. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Illinois Innocence Project The IIP reviews cases where the applicant claims to be actually innocent of the crime(s) for which he or she is convicted. There must be substantial new evidence to support a claim of innocence, such as DNA evidence. Must have at least 8 years left on your sentence and not already be represented. Cannot take on all applicants. Expect delays, especially during summer. Serves Illinois only. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Innocence and Justice Clinic Cases accepted: Cases of actual innocence in North Carolina; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements.Only serves individuals convicted in North Carolina. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Innocence and Justice Project Cases accepted: Cases of actual innocence in New Mexico; DNA and non-DNA cases; no sentence requirements. Serves New Mexio only. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Innocence Matters A very small number of post-conviction cases are accepted where Innocence Matters assumes the role of the lead lawyer, but only if the following criteria are met: the defendant is indigent; the accused is factually innocent and willing to submit to and pass a polygraph exam; case originates in Los Angeles County; he or she has already been rejected by a California Innocence Project; and Innocence Matters is not already at capacity. To be considered for Direct Post-Conviction Representation, send a letter to the above address. Only serves people convicted in Los Angeles County. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Innocence Project (national) The Innocence Project works to exonerate the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms to the criminal justice system to prevent future injustices. They accept only cases in which DNA testing can prove innocence. Write to request intake form. Accepts applications nationwide EXCEPT from AZ, CA, IL, MI, OH, WI or Puerto Rico. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |
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Innocence Project at the UVA School of Law Evaluates cases of wrongful convictions if three criteria are met: (1) the inmate must have been convicted of a crime in Virginia, (2) the conviction must be final, and (3) the inmate is actually innocent of the crime of which he or she was convicted. IDecision is based on the likelihood of being able to prove innocence, the availability of legal remedies, and their current caseload. To be considered, send a letter requesting their application packet. Serves Virginia only. |
Legal Resources, Innocence Projects |