Illinois Innocence Project

The Illinois Innocence Project conducts research and investigative activities in cases where there is a strong likelihood that an inmate is actually innocent. The Illinois Innocence Project, housed in the Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies, was recognized as the only undergraduate innocence program at the National Innocence Project conference in San Diego in mid-January of 2002. It is still one of a few acknowledged undergraduate innocence programs in the country.

Students in the Legal Studies program and other degree programs provide research and investigative assistance to individuals who have been arrested, tried, found guilty, and imprisoned for crimes they most likely did not commit.

Charles Palmer walks with hands held up triumphantly. — Charles Palmer was exonerated in 2016

Legal Studies students also have the opportunity to participate in the Illinois Innocence Project by:

Taking a course like "Conviction of the Innocent". The course is a multi-disciplinary examination of the conviction of people for serious crimes who are likely to be innocent. Students examine policies that contribute to this system and explore alternative solutions that minimize the chances of convicting innocent people.
Through credit-generated tutorials or clinicals
Through an Internship or Graduate Assistantship