We challenge wrongful convictions on every front by exonerating the innocent, educating future attorneys, and reforming criminal justice policy. Read our Spring 2024 update to see how we continue to exonerate, educate, and reform.
LATEST NCIP NEWS
NCIP Co-Founder Linda Starr Appointed Professor Emerita
NCIP Co-Founders Cookie Ridolfi and Linda Starr
Santa Clara Law Dean Michael Kaufman announced earlier this week that NCIP Co-Founder and Professor Linda Starr has been appointed to the status of Professor Emerita.
Linda and NCIP Co-Founder Kathleen "Cookie" Ridolfi were also honored earlier this month with The Center for Social Justice and Public Service Professor Nancy Wright Social Justice Award. This honor, given in memory of Professor Nancy Wright to a member of the Santa Clara Law community, was bestowed upon Linda and Cookie for their leadership and inspiring work as the founders and directors of NCIP.
Report Finds Slow Adoption of Eyewitness ID Laws
NCIP recently released its latest report -- "Blind Acceptance: A Closer Look at Eyewitness Identification Policies in California" -- a groundbreaking review of law enforcement eyewitness identification policies across California.
NCIP Executive Director Todd Fries penned an op-ed about the report, published in the Los Angeles Times, and discussed the importance of the findings at the American Bar Association's 2024 Forensic Science and Information Technology Institute meeting in April.
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NCIP Executive Director Todd Fries
Jeremy Puckett Featured in Episode of Wrongful Conviction
NCIP Client Jeremy Puckett and Volunteer Attorney Karyn Sinunu-Towery were recently featured in an episode of the Wrongful Conviction podcast. Jeremy was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2002 for a murder he didn't commit, and after spending 18 years in prison, was exonerated in March 2020.
EXONERATE
Miguel (above center) his wife Silvia (above left) and NCIP Staff Attorney Sarah Pace (above right) embrace after attending the CalVCB meeting virtually (below).
Miguel Solorio Receives State Compensation
On March 21, while in New Orleans for the annual Innocence Network Conference, NCIP client Miguel Solorio was granted compensation by the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) for the 25 years he spent in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Miguel was exonerated in November 2023 and found factually innocent one month later.
NCIP Staff Attorney Sarah Pace, who attended the hearing virtually along with Miguel and his wife Silvia, stated that "compensation cannot undo the 25 years Miguel spent sitting in prison when he should have been realizing his potential and going after his dreams. It cannot undo the 25 years he spent separated from his family, missing countless birthdays, holidays, funerals, births, and family dinners... But, it can and will help him and Silvia make the most of the many years to come."
EDUCATE
Graduating NCIP Clinical Students Honored by Santa Clara Law
More than 20 Santa Clara Law students, including three who participated in the NCIP clinic, were honored for their pro bono work at the Public Interest & Social Justice Celebration on May 16.
Multiple NCIP clinical students were honored for their commitment to pro bono and public interest work at the recent Santa Clara Law Public Interest & Social Justice Celebration and Graduation Ceremony.
- Three NCIP clinical students were given pro bono recognition awards for contributing more than 50 hours of pro bono service during the the academic year: Mahlieli Bothi, Morgan Fuller Kolsrud and Molly Karasick. Molly also received the Deans' Leadership Award.
- Two clinical students received fellowships for their summer work: Nicholas Voytilla, who received the Dean Kaufman Public Interest Fellowship for work at the Santa Clara Public Defender's Office; and Jennifer Pascalis, who received the The 2023 Henry and Jean Gluck Family Fellowship for work at the Santa Clara Public Defender’s Office.
Kami Dixon received a Center for Social Justice Summer Grant Award for work at the Santa Cruz Public Defender's Office.
RJA Symposium Video Now Live
The video from the recent symposium is a valuable resource for those who were unable to attend or who want to revisit information shared during the all-day event.
On March 1, NCIP co-hosted Santa Clara Law’s Racial Justice Symposium, along with the Santa Clara Law Review, Center for Social Justice and Public Service, and Heafey Center for Trial & Appellate Advocacy.
The all day event -- with panelists including researchers, litigators, and judges -- covered topics including the importance of historical narratives that have fueled racial disparities, biases, and discriminatory language in our communities, litigation strategies, the impact of implicit biases in our criminal legal system, and the reach of remedies to confront racism in the spirit of the Racial Justice Act.
REFORM
CIC Sponsoring AB3088 in CA State Legislature
The California Innocence Coalition is sponsoring one bill in the State Legislature this legislative cycle -- AB 3088, authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman.
The bill recently made it out of the State Assembly with a vote of 49-14 and is now headed to the State Senate.
For more information on NCIP's policy work as part of the California Innocence Coalition, visit the Policy Reform section of our website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Last year's Justice For All Gala concluded with a ballroom dance by NCIP client George Souliotes and his girlfriend Blanche.
Mark your calendars! The 2024 Justice for All Gala will take place on October 17 in San Francisco. We have an exciting program planned and hope you can join us for a truly compelling and heartfelt evening. Stay tuned for more details and the opportunity to purchase tickets and serve as a sponsor.
NCIP COMMUNITY
NCIP recently co-sponsored a multi-day communications training workshop, hosted by the Pruno Fund, with participation from nine exonerees from all over the country.
At the Innocence Network Conference in New Orleans in March, three NCIP clients participated in the always compelling Moth Storytelling Performance that closes out the annual conference every year.
The 2023-24 clinical students, NCIP staff and several clients gathered at the end of April to celebrate the end of another successful academic year.
NCIP Staff Attorney Sarah Pace (right) and NCIP Client Miguel Solorio (center) gave a moving presentation at Alcatraz in early March to more than 350 visitors.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
NCIP's continued work is made possible through donations from our supporters. With your help, we can continue to exonerate, educate and reform. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of the wrongfully convicted.
