CPCS Innocence Program
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The purpose of the CPCS Innocence Program is to obtain exonerations for indigent Massachusetts state defendants who are actually innocent of the crimes of which they have been convicted. A person is actually innocent of a crime only if he or she did not commit the crime. A defendant may be actually innocent of a crime either because no crime was committed, or because the crime was committed by someone other than the defendant. In each case there must be some evidence which could possibly establish innocence. A case may be eligible for assistance from the CPCS Innocence Program whether or not DNA evidence might be available to establish innocence. Highest priority is given to cases involving serious felonies for which the defendant is currently serving a substantial sentence. The CPCS Innocence Program is supported by Grant No. 2009-FA-BX-0037 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Program, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the SMART Office, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not represent the official position or policies of the United States Department of Justice.
Innocence Program Purpose & Criteria Request for Expert or Investigator Funds
Contact Information: Lisa Kavanaugh, Program Director
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