The Innocence Project Philippines is a non-profit legal clinic. This Project handles cases
where postconviction DNA testing of evidence can yield conclusive proof of
innocence. As a clinic, law students handle the case work while supervised by a
team of attorneys and clinic staff.
Most of our clients are poor, forgotten, and have used up all of their legal
avenues for relief. The hope they all have is that biological evidence from
their cases still exists and can be subjected to DNA testing. All Innocence
Project Philippine clients go through an extensive screening process to
determine whether or not DNA testing of evidence could prove their claims of
innocence.
DNA testing has been a major factor in changing the criminal justice systems in
many parts of the world. It has provided scientific proof that many systems
convict and sentence innocent people -- and that wrongful convictions are not
isolated or rare events. Most importantly, DNA testing has opened a window into
wrongful convictions so that we may study the causes and propose remedies that
may minimize the chances that more innocent people are convicted.
As forerunners in the field of wrongful convictions, the Innocence Project
Philippines will grow to become much more than the "court of last resort" for
inmates who have exhausted their appeals and their means. We are organizing The Innocence Network Philippines, a group of law schools, journalism
schools, and public defender offices across the Philippines that will assist
inmates trying to prove their innocence whether or not the cases involve
biological evidence which can be subjected to DNA testing. We consult with
legislators and law enforcement officials , conduct research and training,
produce scholarship, and propose a wide range of remedies to prevent wrongful
convictions while continuing our work to free innocent inmates through the use
of postconviction DNA testing.
We hope that this site will raise awareness and concern about the failings of
our criminal justice system. It is a facet of our society that eventually
touches all of its citizens. The prospect of innocents languishing in jail or,
worse, being put to death for crimes that they did not commit should be
intolerable to every Filipino, regardless of politics, sex, origin, or creed.
Contact Information
email Address: jaime@innocenceprojectphilippines.com
This website has been freely adapted from www.innocenceproject.com.
The adapted content in this website is for presentation purposes to pertinent
groups whilst in our development.
