CIP provides pro bono (free of charge) legal assistance to inmates who maintain their factual innocence in the participation of the crime(s) for which they were convicted.  In such cases, new, strong evidence of innocence must exist.  CIP does not limit our review process to DNA cases.

CIP only accepts cases where the conviction occurred in the foillowing Southern California counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

CIP will review a case post-conviction and post-sentencing. We will not provide legal assistance during the time of pre-trial or trial.

In order to submit a case to CIP for consideration, the inmate must complete and sign our Case Screening Questionnaire.  The questionnaire requests specific supporting documents in section X that must also be submitted to us. 

Completed questionnaires and supporting documents can be mailed to CIP at 225 Cedar Street, San Diego, CA 92101.  With pre-authorization from staff, documents can be hand delivered to the security desk at 350 Cedar Street, San Deigo, CA 92101, Attn: CIP.

Download our Case Screening Questionnaire here

Cuestionario en Espanol aqu­i

DONATE TO THE CALIFORNIA INNOCENCE PROJECT