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Death Penalty Representation Project

The Death Penalty Representation Project is the Association’s expert on issues related to the defense effort in death penalty cases. Since 1986 its singular focus has been to improve the quality and availability of legal representation for persons facing  possible death sentences.

Latest News

ABA Giving Day is October 24th

The ABA Death Penalty Representation Project works to ensure that no person faces a death sentence without a qualified, dedicated team fighting to protect his rights. Your generous donation directly enables our work, providing critical resources that support our mission. When you give to the Project, the impact of your donation is multiplied by the power of our extensive network and broad staff expertise, which allows our small-but-mighty team of just four to help improve due process in hundreds of capital cases throughout the United States.

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Guest Post: The unconscionable execution of Marcellus Williams is a call for more Black lawyers

New on the Project Blog from guest contributor Melanie E. Bates, the execution of Marcellus Williams in Missouri highlights the need for better protections for the innocent in the criminal justice system and the importance of increasing diversity among both prosecution and defense lawyers in criminal cases.

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Celebrate pro bono lawyers!

The Project held its annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Event on September 12, 2024, in Washington, DC. Visit the event page to view photos, video, and more from the program!

Watch

Visit - Event Page

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Image of the U.S. Supreme Court building with an American flag

Supreme Court “Guts” Case Law Protecting the Right to Counsel

There is no federal constitutional right to counsel for prisoners on death row. In Shinn v. Ramirez, decided May 23rd, that constitutional void allowed an ideologically divided U.S. Supreme Court to hold that federal courts should be bound by the evidence introduced in prior state proceedings, regardless of whether the prisoner had the assistance of an effective post-conviction lawyer – or any lawyer at all.

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Donate to the Project

Consider showing your support for our work by making a tax-deductible financial contribution to the Death Penalty Representation Project. Your assistance is essential to the Project’s success and to the lives of the men and women on death row.

Highlights

Guidelines and Standards for Capital Representation

Information and standards about the appointment and performance of defense counsel in capital cases, including the 1989 and 2003 ABA Guidelines, as well as analysis of Bobby v. Van Hook.

View - Guidelines and Standards

Capital Clemency Resource Clearinghouse

The Project site for the public and practitioners devoted to capital clemency, as part of its joint Clemency Initiative. Visit our Initiative page to learn more!

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Learn from Volunteers!

Listen to recorded testimonials from several of our most experienced volunteer attorneys! Each recording addresses a different topic or question of interest to new volunteers.

Listen to - Testimonials

Success Stories

Thousands of volunteer attorneys have donated their time, skills, and resources to provide life-changing assistance to prisoners on death row. Every case placed with pro bono counsel is a victory for fairness and due process.

Read - Success Stories

Public Interest Membership

ABA membership has new benefits and discounted rates for Public Interest Lawyers. Benefits include access to professional networks, valuable resources, free online CLE and much more!

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Volunteer & Client Testimonials

The Death Penalty Representation Project has worked for 30 years to improve the quality of and access to counsel for individuals facing the death penalty. This short video about our work features just a few of our pro bono lawyers and their clients.

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Looking for legal help?

If you are looking for legal assistance on a death penalty case, click here to see if you meet the Project's criteria. You can also find a list of state and national organizations that may be able to help.

Find - Legal Help

Contact Us

Submit this form to get in touch with Project staff.