Get Help

Washington Innocence Project provides free legal and investigative services to wrongfully convicted people whose innocence can be demonstrated through DNA testing or other newly discovered evidence.

Even if you don’t qualify for Washington Innocence Project’s legal assistance, you can find many other resources.

THE INNOCENCE NETWORK

If you are looking for legal representation for a wrongful conviction outside of Washington State, there are innocence organizations across the country and worldwide that can help. The Washington Innocence Project is just one of 69 organizations that make up the Innocence Network. Use their directory to find your local organization

INNOCENCE NETWORK DIRECTORY

Qualifications

We select cases based on a number of factors. In order to be considered for assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be wrongly convicted of a state or federal felony crime in Washington State.
• No longer have a right to appointed counsel.
• Be unable to afford counsel.
• Have completed their direct appeals process.
• Have a claim of innocence that can be proven through DNA testing or other newly discovered evidence.
• Have no involvement in the crime.We do not take cases where the claim is an affirmative defense, such as consensual sex, self-defense, or accidental death.

Steps to Apply

1. The person seeking assistance must submit an Application for Assistance.
2. Complete the application as fully as possible to speed up our review and evaluation process.
3. If you require special assistance to complete the application, please call (206) 636-9479.
4. Submit applications by mail. We do not accept email or phone applications.
5. Please be aware that our initial investigation can take years to complete.

The completed application should be mailed directly to:

Washington Innocence Project
PO Box 85869
Seattle, WA 98145

Send an Application to Someone

Complete this form and we will mail an Application for Assistance directly to your loved one in a Washington State prison.

Complete Form

Printable Application for Assistance

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Formulario Para Solicitar Ayuda

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