Year-End 2010

Death Penalty

The Death Penalty: A Year In Review

Stories about the death penalty making headlines in 2010.

Death Penalty

The Fight for Teresa Lewis’s Life

Teresa Lewis, a Virginia woman convicted of hiring two men to kill her husband and stepson, was executed on September 23, 2010. As the first woman executed in the state of Virginia in nearly a century, Teresa’s case generated interest around the world.

Death Penalty

Director's Message

Robin M. Maher

We rely almost entirely on the generosity of people like you to do our work. We are the only organization working nationally to ensure that every death-sentenced person has a competent lawyer. It is a simple proposition, but one that we must fight for every day. Good lawyers make the difference between life and death, between fairness and injustice. Our small budget contains no funding to help us recruit volunteer lawyers, to train defenders, to reform the counsel systems that fail poor people every day, and to advocate for those on Death Row who have no voice. This is what you make possible with your donation.

Death Penalty

Law Firm Successes

Law firm success stories from 2010.

Death Penalty

Project Overview

At the Death Penalty Representation Project we believe that all persons facing a possible death sentence should have the assistance of competent, effective lawyers at every stage of the proceedings against them. Good lawyers are essential to justice, especially in death penalty cases. Over the past 24 years, thousands of our volunteers have contributed their skills, time, and substantial resources to this cause and saved the lives of countless men and women.

Death Penalty

How Does Volunteering Help Me to Become a Better Lawyer?

Volunteer death penalty work is not only a meaningful way to assist those in need, but also can help you develop your skills and civil practice. These are just a few of the professional benefits of this work as described to us by our volunteers.