We challenge wrongful convictions on every front by exonerating the innocent, educating future attorneys, and reforming criminal justice policy. Read our Fall 2023 update to see how we continue to exonerate, educate, and reform. 

Miguel Solorio Found Factually Innocent

On December, 13, 2023, the Los Angeles County Superior Court declared NCIP client Miguel Solorio factually innocent. At a press conference with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón following the hearing, Miguel shared compelling remarks about losing hope while incarcerated and called on those in positions of power to reconsider harsh sentencing. "Life without [parole] sentences do not reflect the idea of rehabilitation. People, especially people who are incarcerated at a young age, like I was, should at least have the opportunity to rehabilitate and get out. Young peoples’ minds are not fully developed and they can change." DA Gascón apologized to Miguel for his many years of wrongful incarceration. 

Miguel, who has now been free for one month, also spoke about the struggles of life outside of prison. "I am a positive person who always has a smile on my face, but that does not mean that I do not struggle with the trauma I went through on the inside. Healing is a process. I am taking it one day at a time and striving to enjoy every moment. I seize every opportunity I am given because I have spent enough of my life waiting. Let my story be a lesson for everyone: life is precious, don’t take it for granted." Your support can help facilitate Miguel's successful transition from life in prison as he continues to adapt -- please consider donating to Miguel's GoFundMe or Amazon Wishlist. 

Clinical Students Finish Semester Strong with Mock Hearing

This year’s clinical students finished their first semester by conducting a mock evidentiary hearing for one of NCIP’s cases. The students spent weeks preparing for the mock hearing: working collaboratively as a true legal team, coming up with themes for the case, taking on the role of adversaries to anticipate the opposition's position, and dissecting complex medical concepts and literature to effectively examine expert witnesses (played by their supervising attorneys). Their preparedness and passionate deliveries demonstrated their deep commitment to NCIP and our clients. The students' work is proving invaluable to the NCIP legal team during preparations for the March 2024 hearing.

On the final day of the mock hearing, students were joined by NCIP’s newest exoneree, Miguel Solorio, who enthusiastically watched the mock hearing and joined the entire office in a celebration in his honor. 

As 2023 comes to a close, we pause to wish you a happy holiday season and reflect on all that you have helped us accomplish. Please take a moment to watch or read our 2023 Year in Review to learn how together we are freeing the innocent, educating the next generation of lawyers and the public, and reforming policies to help prevent and correct wrongful convictions.

Thank You for Making the 2023 Justice For All Gala a Success!

More than 300 people gathered at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco in early October to celebrate at our annual Justice for All (JFA) Gala. The event, emceed by NCIP exoneree Kevin Harper, opened with a compelling video that follows NCIP from humble beginnings to a now-thriving organization.  

Grant Fine, this year's Champion of Justice, was honored for his excellent work on NCIP cases, ultimately helping to free nine people. NCIP exoneree Jeremy Puckett received the Cookie Ridolfi Freedom Award. Puckett was honored for his persistence, strength and resilience in his nearly two decades long fight for freedom and reunification with his family. 

The evening concluded with a moving ballroom dance by NCIP client George Souliotes and his girlfriend Blanche. Before his arrest, George was a regular on the ballroom dancing circuit. George, freed in 2013, and now 82 years old, recently celebrated 10 years of freedom.

SB 78 & 97 Signed Into Law by Governor

Both bills co-sponsored by the California Innocence Coalition (CIC) this legislative cycle were recently signed into law: 

• SB 97 — Righting Wrongful Convictions: This bill amends California’s law relating to petitions for writ of habeas corpus.
• SB 78 — Factual Innocence: This bill further extends SB 446 — co-sponsored by CIC and passed in 2021 — to ensure that the two processes in seeking compensation for the wrongfully convicted are aligned and not unduly burdensome on the state litigators responding to these claims.

We have the authors of these incredibly important pieces of legislation -- Senators Scott Wiener, Steve Glazer, Josh Becker, and Dave Cortese -- to thank for championing these bills through the California State Legislature.

Support Our Work by Making a Year-End Gift!

NCIP is made possible in large part through private donations. With your help, we can continue to exonerate, educate and reform. Thank you for your support as we work together to make a difference in the lives of the wrongfully convicted. Make your tax-deductible gift today.