Since the first DNA exoneration in 1989, there have been 614 DNA exonerations in criminal cases. In the context of the death penalty, DNA evidence has played a role in only 38 exonerations across 15 states, representing just 18% of the roughly 202 death row exonerations in the modern era.

DNA evidence can reveal valuable information, but is not consistently present in criminal cases. As a result, wrongful conviction cases may offer no DNA evidence that can later be tested. Even when biological evidence exists, DNA testing depends on whether it was properly collected and preserved.

An Alford plea is a plea deal in which a defendant maintains their innocence while still accepting a criminal conviction. It often occurs when a defendant knows they did not commit the crime but recognizes that the prosecution has strong evidence and that going to trial carries significant risk.

A new bill in Delaware would require biological evidence — such as hair, blood, semen — to be preserved in criminal cases to help solve cold cases and exonerate the innocent. Join us and @innocencedelaware.bsky.social in urging lawmakers to pass SB 214. Take action now: https://bit.ly/4rb7NLk

There are currently three pieces of proposed legislation in Delaware that would impact the post-conviction process: SB 57, 58 and 214. Senate Bill 214 goes to the Public Safety & Corrections Committee tomorrow, January 28th at 10 AM.

Today is the International Day of Education, which was established by the United Nations to recognize education as a fundamental human right and a driver of global progress. We recognize the vital role education plays in the fight to free those who have been wrongfully convicted.

We are seeking a DNA Legal Fellow for a two-year fellowship position. Reporting to the Innocence Project Delaware Staff Attorney, the Legal Fellow will play a vital role in advancing justice through litigation and investigation. For more information, see: careers.widener.edu/en-us/job/49...

At the end of 2025, the Death Penalty Information Center has released its annual report, offering critical insight into how the death penalty is applied and how juries are increasingly responding to it. See the images below for more information.

December is International Human Rights Month. Read more below!

Happy holidays! We are deeply grateful to our supporters and advocates who make our work possible every day. Wishing you a joyful and restorative holiday season.

All donations made now through Dec 31st will be matched, dollar for dollar, by our Board members — doubling the impact of your support. Your support enables us to carry out our mission as Delaware’s only nonprofit dedicated to addressing wrongful convictions. www.degives.org/fundraisers/...

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) has become increasingly controversial as a basis for criminal convictions. Despite its longstanding use in prosecutions, growing scientific consensus shows that injuries once attributed exclusively to violent shaking can arise from numerous natural or accidental causes.

Thank you! Because of your generosity, we raised critical funds on Giving Tuesday that will directly support our work to free innocent people and advance meaningful reforms in Delaware’s criminal legal system. Thank you for standing with Innocence Project Delaware.

Giving Tuesday is here, and we have exciting news. For the first time, our Board has offered a match: ALL DONATIONS MADE TODAY WILL BE MATCHED, up to $6,000! Today, your gift will have 2X the impact in the fight for justice. Please click the link to donate: www.degives.org/fundraisers/...

This Thanksgiving, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters and everyone who makes our work possible. We are truly thankful for your trust, encouragement, and partnership, which inspire us to keep striving for positive change.

Today, November 15th is National Philanthropy Day! National Philanthropy Day is a time to celebrate the power of generosity and the impact it has on creating meaningful change. At Innocence Project Delaware, we extend our deepest gratitude to those who stand with us in the pursuit of justice.

Across the country, group exonerations are exposing the deep flaws in our criminal legal system in cases where entire groups of people were wrongfully convicted for crimes they didn’t commit.

Just how prevalent are wrongful convictions? Studies estimate that between 4-6% of people incarcerated in U.S. prisons are actually innocent. Based on the total U.S. prison population of roughly 2 million, it is estimated that 80,000 to 120,000 innocent people are currently incarcerated.

A few weeks ago, we were thrilled to join the 2025 LYTE Career Expo at Salesianum! It was an inspiring day connecting with high school students and sharing how Innocence Project Delaware works to advance justice in our legal system. We loved meeting so many bright minds eager to make an impact.

As you know, we have been in a government shutdown all month, which impacts many facets of American life and institutions. Today, we wanted to acknowledge the impact that government shutdowns have on the criminal legal system.

Today, the Innocence Project Delaware Clinic at Delaware Law School had the privilege of hearing from Cali Vazquez of the Veteran Investigators Group. We learned the importance of recognizing implicit bias and how this impacts investigations, jury selection, and client interactions.

For decades, hair microscopy was treated as reliable science in courtrooms across the country. We now know it lacked the accuracy and scientific foundation it claimed to have. Please read more below.

In our work, we sometimes encounter misconceptions about the death penalty in the United States, so today we wanted to address them and shed light on the most current research.

Innocence Project Delaware, in collaboration with the Delaware Law Related Education Center, launched The Wrongful Conviction Workshop. If you are interested in hosting this workshop in your classroom, please email Sophia Block at [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night at the University of Delaware. We are especially grateful to Jermaine Marlow Wright for sharing his experience of wrongful conviction, and to the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice for partnering with us to make this event possible.

In just 9 days, Texas plans to execute Robert Roberson in a case where no crime occurred. NBC Dateline with has produced a four-part podcast about Robert’s case: www.nbcnews.com/thelastappeal We urge you to familiarize yourself with this case as we advocate for Robert’s life and innocence.

Last night, we were recognized by the Wilmington City Council. The Council affirmed the need to confront wrongful convictions and acknowledged our work to free the innocent and expose injustice. We are especially grateful to Council Member Shané Darby who sponsored this resolution.

Today, October 2nd, 2025 marks the 12th Annual International Wrongful Conviction Day.

Join us on Tuesday, October 7, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Gore 116 at the University of Delaware for an evening of reflection, learning, and conversation. Free and open to all. We are honored to be joined by Marlow Wright, who spent nearly 25 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit.

We have just two days until our Chasing Freedom Gala! Join us this Thursday for a powerful evening dedicated to advancing justice, strengthening community, and reaffirming our dedication to justice and equity. givebutter.com/xTt9Yy

We are recognizing National Forensic Science Week, a time to reflect on the vital work of forensic science professionals. Forensic science offers hope for a more fair legal system, often through the use of DNA analysis which has been used to exonerate 350+ wrongfully convicted people.

In just two short weeks, we’ll come together for one of the most meaningful nights of the year—the Chasing Freedom Gala. Register and learn more: givebutter.com/xTt9Yy

Innocence Project Delaware is proud to announce that Maddy deLone has joined us as our new Interim Executive Director!

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health. This recognition is especially important in prisons and jails, where rates of suicide are significantly higher than in the general population.

Delaware’s 2025 legislative cycle ended in June. We wanted to highlight some legislation passed in the 153rd General Assembly that will reform our criminal legal system: House Bill 53, Senate Bill 10, Senate Bill 7, House Bill 43, and House Bill 142.

As the school year begins, we encourage students, educators, and community members to deepen their understanding of wrongful convictions and the urgent need for justice reform. Listed below are some powerful books to add to your reading list this fall:

Today, August 10th, we join in recognizing Prisoners’ Justice Day — a reminder that dignity, humane treatment, and legal protections do not end at the prison gates. We stand with those seeking justice and recommit to confronting wrongful convictions and the vast systemic injustices.

Why do innocent people plead guilty? We get asked this question a lot and wanted to give a brief overview of the answer.

📢 Who seeks our post-conviction legal representation here at Innocence Project Delaware? 👉 Look below to find out. We have reviewed 200 applications from individuals often serving lengthy sentences and in need of legal assistance to pursue justice.

July is Disability Pride Month. Despite legal protections, many incarcerated individuals with disabilities are denied the medical care, support services, and accommodations they are entitled to. These systemic failures expose a gap between legal mandates and the reality of treatment in prisons.

Thank you to our incredible pro bono partners at Richards, Layton & Finger! The work they have produced truly makes a difference in shaping our case strategy, strengthening our advocacy, and advancing our broader mission for justice. We’re grateful for their dedication and hope to collaborate again!

Today, International Criminal Justice Day, serves as a reminder of our commitment to justice, both in our state and across our globe. We strive for a world where justice is upheld, individual rights are protected, and accountability for crimes is ensured.

We urge you to support robust FY26 funding for DOJ innocence programs & NIST forensic science research. These programs help to identify, remediate, and prevent wrongful convictions in Delaware while strengthening investigations and prosecutions and increasing public safety.

On September 25, 2025, we invite you to stand with us at the Chasing Freedom Gala, an evening of community and reflection. We’ll gather to honor the power of persistence and the belief that truth is always worth pursuing. Click to secure your spot: givebutter.com/xTt9Yy

June is PTSD Awareness Month. It is estimated that 27% of incarcerated males and 38% of incarcerated females suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, compared to a rate of 5% for males and 10.4% for females in the general population.

Have you ever wondered how our legal system can convict innocent people of crimes they did not commit? Understanding what leads to wrongful convictions is the first step toward preventing future injustices.

At Innocence Project Delaware, we are so thankful to work with such an amazing team of interns. We greatly appreciate all of the work that you do on the path to helping wrongfully convicted Delawareans.

Since 1989, there have been 3,693 exonerations and more than 34,035 years lost to wrongful imprisonment. The sheer number of exonerations highlight the need for ongoing oversight, transparency, and reform.

Today, we had the opportunity to present at the Delaware Paralegal Association Annual Meeting. Together in community with the incredible paralegals of Delaware, we spoke about factors that lead to wrongful convictions and paths toward justice for those who are wrongfully imprisoned.

The average exoneree loses 16 years of their life to wrongful imprisonment. Since 1989, 3,689 individuals have been exonerated, who collectively spent 33,980 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.