What We Do
Innocence Projects are programs which provide post-conviction review in response to claims of wrongful conviction. They are usually based within law schools where students conduct case reviews under the supervision of a Director or volunteer lawyers. This work is completed free of charge but students may receive course credit for their work.
The UBC Innocence Project at the Allard School of Law engaged the talents and enthusiasm of a selected group of law students to review claims of wrongful conviction in British Columbia. The goals of our Project are to:
- investigate claims of wrongful conviction;
- identify potential miscarriages of justice;
- assist in securing the release of individuals who have been wrongly convicted;
- educate law students about the causes of wrongful conviction;
- educate law students about the proper roles of professionals in the criminal justice system; and
- provide skills training for law students conducting post-conviction review work.
Through a multi-stage review process and under the direction of lawyers, law students take on the immense task of reviewing a case from the original investigation to the final appeal. If, at the end of this process, the Project believes that the case merits consideration by the Minister of Justice, students will assist outside counsel in preparing the appropriate application. Our hope is that the UBC Innocence Project at the Allard School of Law will become part of the international network that exposes, documents, and prevents wrongful convictions. The work we undertake is free of charge.
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