our mission
The Hawai'i Innocence Project is a law clinic and non-profit with a mission to free prisoners who are factually innocent but who have been wrongfully convicted. Through the work of our volunteers, attorneys, and law students, we strive to not only exonerate the innocent but to also reform the justice system to prevent innocent people from being convicted of crimes they didn’t commit.
values that guide us
JUSTICE
The Hawai'i Innocence Project's sole purpose is to seek justice for the wrongfully convicted and for the victims whose real perpetrator was never held accountable for their crimes.
Through investigations,
legal research, and DNA testing, we seek to right the terrible miscarriage of justice that occurs when
an innocent person languishes behind bars for a crime someone else committed.
EDUCATION
As a legal clinic through the William S. Richardson School of Law, we seek to train law students to be passionate advocates and effective attorneys who will diligently represent their clients. Students are given the opportunity to investigate, research, and draft legal documents. Beyond practical experience, students also learn firsthand the consequences of bad lawyering and junk science.
Through outreach, seminars, and presentations, we educate lawmakers, law enforcement, and the community about the causes of wrongful conviction so that we may prevent more innocent people from being falsely accused and wrongfully convicted.
COMMUNITY
The Hawai'i Innocence Project is usually the last chance the innocent and their families have to seek justice. When they come to us, the system has failed them and they
have often lost any hope of being free.Their lives and community have suffered while they are behind bars, serving time for a crime they did not commit. Missed birthdays, anniversaries, weddings,
and funerals are just some of the consequences defendants and their families must endure.
By working to exonerate the innocent we are working to rebuild the families and communities affected
by these grave injustices.
3,372
exonerations nationwide
28,770
years of freedom lost
111,015
waiting to be exonerated
(based on the estimated wrongful conviction rate of five percent)
4
Hawai'i Innocence Project clients exonerated
23,175
days spent incarcerated by Exonerated Hawai'i Innocence Project clients
$ 7.6 million
spent by state of Hawai'i to wrongfully incarcerate Hawai'i Innocence Project clients
WRONGFUL CONVICTION
NUMBERS
proud member of
THE INNOCENCE NETWORK
The Innocence Network is comprised of 69 organizations around the world. Each year, the Hawai'i Innocence Project represents the state of Hawai'i at the Innocence Network Conference.
We also join the Innocence Network in celebrating Wrongful Conviction Day every fall (October 2nd).
By donating to the Hawai'i Innocence Project you are helping us advance the unique needs of the Hawai'i justice system and also helping contribute to justice efforts on a national level.