Wisconsin Innocence Project
In recent years, numerous wrongly convicted individuals have been released from prison after new evidence, often in the form of scientific evidence such as DNA, has established that they were actually innocent. The Wisconsin Innocence Project provides legal assistance to inmates who have provable claims that they were wrongly convicted. At any given time, approximately 20 law students are enrolled in the program. Under the supervision of attorneys, the students investigate and litigate claims of innocence on behalf of prisoners in Wisconsin and elsewhere. The project does not take cases in which a person is only claiming that his or her rights were violated; there must be a possibility of developing evidence that can actually prove innocence.
Outcomes
As of the beginning of 2015 the Wisconsin Innocence Project has freed 18 people since it's inception.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Carrie Sperling
Co-director
- Department/Unit
- Frank J. Remington Center
- School or College
- Law