FEATURE
Georgia Innocence Project
Georgia Justice Project
Gideon's Promise
Latin American Association
The Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) is focused on freeing
men and women who are incarcerated for crimes they did
not commit, advancing practices that minimize the chances
that others suffer the same fate and educate the public
that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rate events.
With over 25 years of experience, Georgia Justice Project
(GJP) has pioneered something unique: legal services
combined with social services and employment support for
the neediest among us, poor people accused of a crime.
Since 2008, GJP has also assisted people whose criminal record acts as a barrier to opportunities. We do this
through direct representation of clients in seeking record
restriction (expungement), as well as working to change
the laws in Georgia to reduce legal barriers to reentry.
Gideon’s Promise is a non-profit organization dedicated to
transforming the criminal justice system by building a movement of public defenders who provide equal justice for marginalized communities.
With a focus in the areas of immigration legal assistance, employment and career development, domestic violence assistance,
and parenting programs, the LAA offers individualized service
and case management and works one-on-one with individuals
and families on a long-term basis to help resolve specific needs.
Contact: Aimee Maxwell
404-373-4433 | www.georgiainnocenceproject.org
GIP opened its doors in early 2003, and since its inception has received more than 6,400 letters requesting assistance. Through diligent work of its attorneys and law
students who have investigated cases, GIP has helped six
Georgia men prove their innocence. GIP assists exonerees
in rebuilding their lives, and its public policy work has led
to reforms in Georgia and across the country. In addition,
GIP trains attorneys to try to prevent wrongful convictions.
Georgia Innocence Project has an internship program for more
than 25 law students annually, gathered from all five of Georgia’s
law schools and several out-of-state law programs. The internship trains them in proper investigative techniques and the use of
DNA and other scientific tools. Attorneys who attend these seminars receive Continuing Legal Education credit. GIP also educates the general public about Innocence issues through public
speaking, awareness events, and a comprehensive website.
Contact: Molly Scott
(404) 827-0027 x234 | www.gjp.org
Volunteers are a vital part of GJP’s Criminal Records Program because the need for services is overwhelming;
nearly four million individuals in Georgia have a record.
For the last two years, Michele Young has consistently
volunteered to help clients clean up their records. Prior to
volunteering at GJP, Michele worked at the Georgia Attorney
General’s Office in the Tax Division for 16 years. She has volunteered over 600 hours at GJP – seeking record restriction
of clients’ arrests, filing Motions to Seal and Youthful Offender
Petitions, submitting Pardon Applications and appearing in court.
Michele was ins