WMU-Cooley Innocence Project

The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project is a law school clinic at the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School which is an independent, private, non-profit educational institution affiliated with Western Michigan University. It is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in Michigan that has helped many prisoners to exonerate. Operating as a law school clinic, the Project's dual mission is to provide legal assistance to, and secure the release of, persons who are wrongfully imprisoned for crimes they did not commit and to provide its students with an excellent learning experience. The Project focuses on obtaining post-conviction DNA testing and false forensics. The Project identifies and fights to overturn wrongful convictions across the state. Students screen applications, investigate facts, conduct interviews, analyze cases, prepare court pleadings and even represent clients in court. They do this all under the supervision of experienced lawyers. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project offers exoneration and other legal help to prisoners at no cost to them.