Palmetto Innocence, a South Carolina non-profit, works to prevent and correct the conviction of innocent people in South Carolina. According to the Innocence Project in New York, it is estimated that there are approximately 20,000 people currently in prison who are factually innocent of their crimes. Since the late 1980’s, there have been about 850 exonerations nationwide.
We are the “Court of Last Resort” for our clients who have exhausted the normal post-trial process and have nowhere else to turn. With a network of lawyers and volunteers, we work with our clients to prove their innocence. We also want to prevent future wrongful convictions. As such, we work to equip lawyers, law enforcement, and policy makers with the tools and latest science needed for real criminal justice reform in the area of wrongful convictions.
We realize, too, how difficult it is to correct wrongful convictions, so we also work to educate legislators, policymakers, and the public to advance criminal justice reforms that make our criminal justice system more just and fair.
Our Mission
What Cases Do We Review?
We review the cases of prisoners convicted in the State of South Carolina. We look for cases where we can use new evidence to prove a prisoner is innocent.
What Cases Do We Not Take?
We do not accept cases in which a person has not been convicted or sentenced. We also do not accept cases that are currently in appeal, post-conviction relief, or federal habeas. We also do not take cases in which an inmate is claiming that his or her rights have been violated. We accept cases of factual innocence. We cannot help prisoners file civil suits, do legal research, find names of other attorneys, or assist with other issues unrelated to actual innocence.
Our Board of Directors
Coming soon.