Capital Case Litigation Initiative

Program goal(s) name: Improve the quality of legal representation in state capital cases and strengthen the capacity of CIUs and WCRs. Program goal(s) description: Improve the quality of legal representation in state capital cases, strengthen the capacity of CIUs and WCR entities and their criminal justice and victims’ services partners to more effectively and efficiently identify, assess, and manage post-conviction claims of innocence, and prevent future wrongful convictions. Program objective(s) name: Improve standards, training, and other resources for prosecutors and defense council that aligns with state requirements and needs and improve strategic reviews of post-conviction and appeals claims of innocence to identify and apprehend actual perpetrators of crime and prevent wrongful convictions. Program objective description: Set baseline standards, qualifications, and training for prosecutors that are aligned with state and local needs; Support strategies which may include legal reforms, case review, forensic testing, victim services, and are aligned with state and local priorities; Establish a qualification framework for defense counsel that is consistent with state requirements, which may include maintaining a roster of attorneys who meet these standards; Expand training, support, and resources for defense counsel consistent with the states needs and available resources; Strategically review cases of post-conviction and appeals claims of innocence with a focus on those at greatest risk for error; Identify and apprehend, whenever possible, the actual perpetrator of the crime when convictions are overturned; Establish or enhance partnerships, where appropriate, among law enforcement, WCR entities and CIUs, and other criminal justice organizations to apply a strategic review of individual post-conviction claims of innocence and appeals and, where relevant, to use this information to inform efforts to prevent wrongful convictions; Evaluate systemic issues or patterns that may compromise the rule of law and implement practices to mitigate and prevent future wrongful convictions.