Exonerating the wrongly convicted.
LAIP provides pro bono investigatory services and legal representation to indigent individuals across California who were convicted of crimes they did not commit. We work to bring awareness of the inherent problems within the judicial system to local and state lawmakers so they are better informed and prepared to create a more just system.
Mission and Values
LAIP’s mission is to exonerate the wrongly convicted; free the wrongfully incarcerated; uncover and remedy past misuse of forensic and other scientific evidence in the courtroom; improve standards for the use of forensic and other scientific evidence in the courtroom; and improve the dialogue between scientists and stakeholders in the criminal legal system; and, reform the criminal legal system to prevent future injustice.
LAIP believes in a world where the primary response to violations of the law is not a carceral one. We believe in a criminal legal system that recognizes the inherent dignity of all people. We believe that science can help us accomplish this vision.
Make a donation
Every dollar you give goes directly to the work of freeing the innocent. Your contribution funds forensic testing, in-depth investigations, prison visits, expert witnesses, and courtroom litigation - everything it takes to fight a wrongful conviction.
When you support the Los Angeles Innocence Project, you're not just changing one life. You're helping build a more just system for everyone.
Correcting injustice. Restoring dignity.
LAIP believes in a world where the primary response to violations of the law is not a carceral one. We believe in a criminal legal system that recognizes the inherent dignity of all people. We believe in the possibility of a criminal legal system that is not infected by racial bias and does not criminalize poverty, mental illness, or drug addiction and that seeks to reduce harm, reconcile individuals, address trauma, and rebuild those individuals, communities, and institutions that have been damaged by crime and our society’s response to it. We believe that science can help us accomplish this vision.
From Our Clients
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LAIP is the greatest organization in the world - they are compassionate and caring in a world that doesn't always offer that up.
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"LAIP can do no wrong - Paula Mitchell and her team are real life super heroes"
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"What they do is very important work - there are thousands of people just like me sitting in prison that shouldn't be there"
Request Representation
Should you need legal assistance, please review our guidelines for submitting your case. Please note that we do not accept case applications or inquiries by email or over the phone.