Student Organizations
About IJP
What is The University of New Mexico Law Students Innocence and Justice Project? (IJP)
The UNM Law Students Innocence and Justice Project is an organization of students deeply concerned that innocent people are serving prison sentences or awaiting execution for crimes they did not commit.
Why was IJP formed?
The organization was formed to work with volunteer attorneys from the New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project in obtaining the release of innocent prisoners, either through judicial proceedings or executive clemency. The New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project is a non-profit corporation managed by its own Board of Directors. The attorney members of the New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project guide the work done by members of the student organization. Representatives from the student board serve as voting members of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project. That Board of Directors selects the cases for members of the student organization to investigate.
How long has IJP been operating?
The first student board was elected in January 2001. The members of the organization elect its own student board for one-year terms. Because of the urgent need for funds to pay the costs of legal documents and tests such as DNA, a fundraising committee was immediately established. Members of both the student organization and the New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project, the nonprofit corporation, will serve on the committee. A public relations committee was also formed to help publicize the work of the organization.
What can law students do to help?
Students can help in several ways. First, by participating in training sessions; second, by using their skills on the fundraising or public relations committees; and third, by working on cases. Students may also help with administrative tasks such as responding to prisoners' requests for information.
On what kind of cases do students work?
Students can provide help to inmates who have been wrongly convicted of crimes in New Mexico and who have already completed the appeals process. IJP cannot provide assistance to people who are awaiting trial, who are still pursuing their direct appeals, or who were convicted in other states.
How are cases selected?
Generally, cases selected are those in which there is a significant chance that substantial new evidence can be found to prove a prisoner's innocence. Evidence may be new physical evidence such as blood, hair, semen, or prints that can be scientifically tested, including DNA testing. Other types of evidence may be eyewitness accounts, or recantations from a victim, if supported by other new evidence.
Once a case is accepted, it is assigned to the Clinical Law Program. Students work on teams under the direction of a student team leader, generally a Clinic student, and a volunteer attorney from the New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project. One team assists with one case.
How much time will membership take?
Members must attend monthly training session/general membership meetings. Those meetings are tentatively scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month from 12:00 p.m. to l:00 p.m. In addition, students should expect to work an average of several hours per week on fundraising or public relations committees or on a team investigating a case.
How do I join IJP?
You can join by completing an Membership Form and paying annual dues of $5.00 to the Law Students Innocence and Justice Project.
