The Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati College of Law ("OIP") seeks to identify and assist those prison inmates who claim to be actually innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted. The OIP will review a request from a prison inmate and conduct an investigation into the inmate's request if it is determined that the request meets our review and screening criteria. The OIP will work only on those cases where new evidence, whether newly discovered or that can be developed through investigation, supports the inmate's claim of innocence. The best type of new evidence is physical evidence (DNA evidence) that was not tested prior to the inmate's trial. The OIP will also work on cases that do not involve DNA if the appropriate criteria are met. While the OIP does not charge inmates for its services, inmates are usually required to pay for DNA testing or other expert witness fees.

The OIP will utilize students from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and possibly other Ohio law schools. These students will be closely supervised by faculty members and private, volunteer attorneys throughout their investigation and work on the case. Students are also heavily involved in the preliminary investigation to determine if a request for assistance meets the established criteria.

The OIP provides free investigative services to those inmates whose cases are selected for investigation. The OIP does not provide legal representation to inmates, does not engage in the practice of law, and does not have legal clients. If an inmate's case is accepted for investigation by the OIP, and litigation or other forms of legal representation are ultimately necessary to achieve exoneration, the inmate in question will be represented at that time solely by a volunteer attorney arranged by the OIP, and not by the OIP itself except in limited circumstances.

An inmate requesting the assistance of the OIP should complete the Screening Questionnaire (pdf). The inmate must FULLY COMPLETE the form and submit it to the address on the form, otherwise it will be returned and no further action will be taken until returned complete. Print out a hard copy of the questionnaire, fill out in ink, and return it by mail if you would like the OIP to review your case.

After a completed questionnaire is received by the OIP, the screening process will begin. During the screening process, the OIP will determine if a case will be fully investigated. Those cases approved for investigation will be assigned to students for investigation and work-up under the supervision of university faculty advisors and volunteer private attorneys.

An inmate will be notified upon the completion of the screening process whether or not the case has been assigned for investigation. Please understand that due to the overwhelming number of requests for our assistance, immediate response may not be possible.

Inmates Please Note: DNA test results can provide strong evidence of one's innocence. However, DNA test results can also provide additional proof of one's guilt. If DNA tests are performed in your case and they fail to exclude you as the perpetrator of the crime, that evidence may hurt your chances on direct appeal or on a post conviction relief motion. We encourage all inmates to honestly evaluate your case as you fill out this questionnaire. Consider whether by asking for DNA testing, you could be creating additional evidence that may hurt rather than help your chance for release and exoneration.