See a short video about the OIP
2011 Innocence Network Conference
April 8-10, 2011
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Picking Cotton
September 17, 2009
Cincinnati Museum Center
Eyewitness Symposium
October 2, 2009
Ohio Supreme Court
Webcasts of the presentations are now available.
If you would like to receive the OIP newsletter in the mail, please email your request.
View media coverage of RIJ.
Raised to question the way justice is administered, Amanda Smith's '10 personal experience led to a keen interest in UC Law's OIP and drew her to UC Law. Read her story.
The Rosenthal Institute for Justice was established at the UC College of Law thanks to the generosity of Lois and Richard Rosenthal. The primary component of the Rosenthal Institute for Justice is the Ohio Innocence Project, which was founded in 2003. Harnessing the energy and intellect of law students as its driving force, the OIP seeks to identify inmates in Ohio prisons who are actually innocent of the crimes they were convicted of committing. Innocence is often determined by DNA testing, but can include other types of new evidence such as new witnesses, new expert testimony, or evidence of police misconduct. Once an inmate's innocence has been established through investigation, the OIP sends the case back to court and litigates in the hope of obtaining the inmate's freedom. Innocence Projects across the country have freed more than 240 wrongfully convicted inmates to date. The Ohio Innocence Project to date has helped 8 individuals obtain their long-sought freedom. Learn more about our significant cases.
In terms of legislative reform, the Rosenthal Institute for Justice has proposed several bills that were passed into law. Recently the RIJ worked successfully for passage in Ohio of an improved post-conviction DNA testing bill, frequently called "Senate Bill 262." In February 2008, the RIJ proposed six new legislative reforms aimed at curbing wrongful convictions. These reforms include improving the process for eyewitness identifications, requiring the recording of interrogations in serious crimes, requiring the preservation of DNA in serious crimes, and an expansion of the existing DNA access bill. Currently called “Senate Bill 77,” this bill recently passed the Ohio Senate and will be considered by the Ohio House of Representatives in the fall of 2009. Learn more about our legislative initiatives.
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.
