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.

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Latest Updates

Jun. 05

Edward Lee Elmore

Edward Lee Elmore spent 31 years in prison, 29 of which were on death row. In 2010, after an assessment due to the Supreme Court’s decision in Atkins, Edward was released from death row because of hi…
Tommy Lee Waldrip

On July 9, 2014, the state of Georgia spared Tommy Lee Waldrip’s life, commuting his sentence from death to life without parole the day before he was to be executed.
Jimmy Dennis

Jimmy Dennis served more than two decades on death row for a crime that he maintains he did not commit. Arnold & Porter has advocated for Jimmy’s claim of innocence since 1999, and thanks to their in…

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Racial Discrimination

Issues of racial bias plague the criminal justice system, and the death penalty is no exception. Studies have shown discrimination occurring at every stage of a case, including charging, jury selection, and sentencing. Learn how our volunteers have fought to correct these injustices.

Innocence

The death penalty as a punishment is irreversible and thus inherently carries the risk of executing an innocent person. Since 1973, more than 165 death row prisoners have been exonerated. Learn how our volunteers have fought to protect innocent men and women condemned to death.

Prosecutorial Misconduct

Prosecutorial misconduct, often in the form of failing to disclose important exculpatory evidence, has plagued many death penalty cases. Uncovering that misconduct can be difficult for pro bono attorneys, but can be the difference between life and death.

Childhood Abuse

A significant number of individuals on death row are victims of childhood abuse and trauma. An important component of capital trials is the investigation and presentation of mitigating circumstances such as these.

Intellectual Disability

Despite it being declared unconstitutional, many intellectually disabled individuals have been sentenced to death and executed. Most cannot afford effectively representation for themselves and others are sentenced without full awareness of what is occurring. Read how pro bono attorneys have been able to step in and advocate for the voiceless.

Clemency

Success in a capital case can come in many forms, including grants of clemency that convert death sentences to life without parole. Read how the dedicated work of our pro bono attorneys have helped spare the lives of their clients.

A history of our success stories and a link the a full pdf copy.

About Our Success Stories

The Project's volunteer attorneys have won countless victories on behalf of their pro bono clients. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Project in 2011, the Project created a collection of stories describing the heroic work of our volunteers and the clients they fought to protect. This new 2018 update includes all the original stories plus several new stories and updates. Click below to view the full booklet!

Volunteering

The Project receives countless requests for assistance from prisoners on death row across the country who are without counsel. In response we seek out private attorneys from the civil bar who can donate their time and skills to help ensure that every person facing a sentence of death has access to high-quality legal representation. Learn how you can make a difference.

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association