What is Wrongful Conviction Day?
International Wrongful Conviction Day is an day to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful conviction for innocent people and their families.
Wrongful Conviction Day began as an effort of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed. This is the fifth annual day.
Get Involved
We’re all susceptible to biases and human error, but in the criminal justice system these can have grave consequences. We cannot stop being human, but we can learn from our mistakes.
Training for all actors in the criminal justice system on the human factors that influence criminal investigations can help. Thank those that are already taking this important step and call on others to do the same.
For many wrongfully convicted people, their freedom story began with a letter they sent from prison with the hope that someone would hear them and do something.
Today you can write a letter to help someone receive clemency, have their case reviewed, or simply send your support with some kind words. Let people know you’re listening and you want to right the wrongs of wrongful conviction.
Spread the Word
NBA Coaches and Players PSAs
Watch Wrongful Conviction Day videos from NBA Coaches and Players. View Here.
Share Our Photos & Graphics
We created Wrongful Conviction Day graphics to share on social media. You can find them here.
Change Your Facebook Profile
We created a Wrongful Conviction Day overlay for your social media profiles. Check it out here.
Innocence Network Member Resources
Innocence Network Member interested in promoting your own event? Find some resources here (password required).
Find An Event Near You
Check back soon for more 2019 events!Innocence Project of Texas
What: Sanaa Expo featuring Anna Vasquez, Lisa Price, Raymond Santana, and Lydia Evans. More info at sanaaexpo.com
When: Saturday, October 5, 12:00-5:00
Where: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, 3816 Caroline St, Houston, TX
California Innocence Project
What: 2019 XONR8 Gala – purchase tickets online.
When: October 2, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where:The Headquarters at Seaport Village, 789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA
Arizona Justice Project
What: A lunch discussion about current issues on wrongful convictions in Arizona, featuring Kirk Bloodsworth, the first person to be sentenced to death and then later exonerated by DNA evidence. Event is free, but RSVP required.
When: October 2, 11:30-1:00
Where: ASU Law School’s Great Hall, 111 E Taylor St, Phoenix, AZ
Midwest Innocence Project
What: Champions of Justice fundraiser and concert featuring Brandon Phillips and The Condition and The Black Creatures. Hosted by the Midwest Innocence Project NextGen Board. Click for more information.
When: October 2, 6:00-10:00
Where: recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Innocence Project of Minnesota
What: Come hear the experiences of Julie Jonas from the Minnesota Innocence Project and Koua Fong Lee, who was wrongly convicted of killing three people in 2006 in the Twin Cities. This event will examine the role of race, culture, and poverty in contributing to wrongful convictions. Hosted by the Center for Justice and Law. Purchase tickets.
When: Friday, October 04 12:30 PM – 04:30 PM
Where: Hamline University Anderson Center, 774 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN
Hawai'i Innocence Project
What: Wrongful Conviction Day event with case presentations and guest speaker Roynes Dural whose case was just overturned last week at the Hawai’i Supreme Court.
When: 10/2 from 11:30-1:30
Where: University of Hawai’i Law School 2515 Dole Street Honolulu HI 96822
Washington Innocence Project
What: Screening of the first episode of the Starz documentary series “Wrong Man” focusing on the case of Evaristo Junior Salas, who was convicted of murder in Yakima, WA at the age of 15. Followed by audience Q and A with members of Junior’s family.
When: October 2 at 5:30
Where: Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, Seattle, WA
UBC Innocence Project
What: RIDE FOR JUSTICE is an indoor cycling event that will take place in solidarity with Wrongful Conviction Day to raise funds and awareness for those seeking to prove their innocence. For more info or to make a donation click here.
When: October 5 at 12:30
Where: Eastwood Cycle in Gastown
Innocence Project
What: Innocence Project staff will participate in the Wrongful Conviction Day letter writing campaign. (This is a closed event.)
When: October 2
Innocence Project of Florida
What: “Writing Wrongs” event. Free to attend. Beer and wine provided.
When: October 2, 5:00-7:00 pm
Where: Florida State University College of Law Rotunda, 425 W Jefferson St, Tallahassee, FL
Illinois Innocence Project
What: Brown Bag Lunch with Exoneree Angel Gonzalez
When: October 2 at 12:00
Where: UIS Student Union, 2nd flr at 12:00 p.m
What: Exonerations Flag Display
When: October 2 all day
Where: UIS quad
Northern California Innocence Project
What: Private event to introduce people to the Northern California Innocence Project
Northern California Innocence Project
What: Tabling for Northern California Innocence Project
When: October 2
Where: Santa Clara University
Ohio Innocence Project
What: Exoneree Dean Gillispie will be speaking to students
When: September 30
Where: University of Dayton
Ohio Innocence Project
What: Robert McClendon will be participating in a cornhole fundraiser and to raise awareness of Ohio Innocence Project
When: October 2 from 4pm to 6:30pm
Where: John Carroll University Main Quad 1 John Carroll Blvd. University Heights, OH
Ohio Innocence Project
What: Meet and greet and presentation to students with exoneree Raymond Towler
When: Meet and Greet is from 3:30 to 5pm and Presentation is from 5pm to 6:30pm
Where: Ohio University Bentley Hall (4 President Street Athens, OH 45701)
Georgia Innocence Project
What: Presentations on wrongful convictions in eleven schools
When: October 2
Where: Atlanta metro area
Georgia Innocence Project
What: Presentation on wrongful convictions in a local school
When: October 2
Where: Macon, GA
Georgia Innocence Project
What: Presentation on wrongful convictions in a local school
When: October 2
Where: Savannah, GA
New England Innocence Project, BC Innocence Program, CPCS Innocence Program
What: Presentations on wrongful convictions in nine schools
When: October 2
Where: Greater Boston area
New England Innocence Project, BC Innocence Program, CPCS Innocence Program
What: Presentation on wrongful convictions
When: October 2
Where: Springfield Honors Academy
New England Innocence Project, BC Innocence Program, CPCS Innocence Program
What: Presentation on wrongful convictions
When: October 2
Where: Canton High School
New England Innocence Project, BC Innocence Program, CPCS Innocence Program
What: Presentation on wrongful convictions
When: October 2
Where: Lawrence High School
New England Innocence Project, BC Innocence Program, CPCS Innocence Program
What: Presentation on wrongful convictions
When: October 2
Where: Masconomet Regional, Boxboro MA
Alaska Innocence Project
What: AKIP is partnering with the University of Alaska, Anchorage Justice Center to present a panel/lecture on campus highlighting the importance of AKIP’s work and what it means to be wrongfully convicted in Alaska.
Where: University of Alaska, Anchorage