TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona DNA Advocacy Project, a collaboration of the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law's Post-conviction Clinic, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law's Wrongful Conviction Clinic, and the nonprofit Justice Project, Inc., is pleased to announce the award of a significant grant from the Department of Justice under the National Institute of Justice Post-conviction Testing of DNA Evidence to Exonerate the Innocent program. The DNA Advocacy Project will investigate and evaluate potential cases of wrongful conviction in Arizona where DNA testing might show actual innocence, and bring appropriate cases forward for DNA testing. This unique partnership will for the first time provide coverage of the vast majority of Arizona.
Under the two-year $935,000 grant, law faculty supervisors with expertise in wrongful convictions and post-conviction practice will lead case review at the two nonprofit state law schools, working closely with law students to review and investigate cases. The Arizona Justice Project will contribute its vast experience and excellent reputation in generating case leads as well as managing a certain number of cases itself.
As of last year, more than 300 people nationwide have been exonerated in the last two decades using DNA evidence, with four of those from Arizona. Given the extreme injustice of incarcerating innocent people, the DNA Advocacy Project will devote serious effort to investigating the cases of those who have a claim of innocence to determine if evidence exists and can be brought forth to establish their innocence.
About the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is one of the leading public law schools in the country. Currently ranked No. 31 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, the College has moved up further and faster in national rankings than nearly any other law school. The College is the preeminent law school in metropolitan Phoenix, the nation's sixth-largest city. In addition to its renowned faculty, the College is home to several leading centers and programs recognized for excellence, including the Center for Law, Science & Innovation, the Center for Law and Global Affairs and the Indian Legal Program. Its students choose and benefit from numerous opportunities for experiential and practical-skills training as well as an array of theoretical courses. With a writing program that is ranked No. 8 nationally by U.S. News, a wide range of clinical opportunities, a breadth of externship offerings, and a pro bono program that annually contributes more than 100,000 hours of legal and law-related services to the community, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is pursuing a path of boundless impact, excellence, engagement and opportunity. For more information, visit law.asu.edu.
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SOURCE Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law