ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT OF FLORIDA
The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in January 2003 to help innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives. Our mission is to:
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Screen and investigate cases in which meritorious innocence claims are identified;
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Secure DNA testing when biological evidence exists;
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Advocate for the release and/or exoneration of individuals whose cases present meritorious innocence claims based on evidence of actual innocence;
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Provide transitional and aftercare services to exonerees; and
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Advocate for necessary criminal justice reform to avoid wrongful incarcerations in the future.
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Read more about IPF's key successes in criminal justice reform here.
OUR HISTORY
The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) was established in response to a filing deadline for post-conviction DNA motions, with Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte serving as the founding chair of the board of directors. Initially, IPF operated with two advocates, Jennifer Greenberg and Sheila Meehan, working from a small office located in a hallway at the Florida State University College of Law.
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During its initial three years, IPF relied on the support of interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys across Florida. However, in the latter half of 2006, the organization underwent significant growth and development. They implemented systems for reviewing and accepting new cases, hired two full-time staff attorneys to tackle a substantial backlog of cases and improve the litigation process. Additionally, they recognized the importance of supporting clients after their wrongful convictions were overturned, leading to the employment of a social worker to aid in their reintegration into society.
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Since then, IPF has continued to expand its staff. Presently, the IPF staff consists thirteen individuals and regularly hosts six to eight student interns each semester. Notably, IPF holds the distinction of being the first innocence organization in the United States to have a full-time social worker on staff.
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IPF actively participates as a member of the Innocence Network, a coalition of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove their innocence in wrongful conviction cases. Several members of the IPF staff have been invited to speak at the annual Innocence Network conferences, and IPF's executive director served on the Innocence Network Advisory Board for many years.
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Under the leadership of attorney Seth Miller, IPF's current executive director, the organization continues its unwavering commitment to their mission. Seth oversees both the legal work and operational aspects of IPF. The legal work of the office is managed by a Legal Director, and supported by a staff attorney, two staff investigators, a paralegal, an intake manager, and an intake specialist. The intake team, led by the manager and specialist, handles nearly 1,000 inquiries for legal assistance each year. The staff investigators conduct field investigations to gather crucial evidence of actual innocence. With the expertise and experience of the attorneys, IPF advocates strongly for the wrongfully convicted. Furthermore, IPF has a dedicated Director of Transition Services, Anthony Scott LCSW, with 18 years of experience assisting clients in their reintegration process.
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On the operations side, IPF has a Director of Operations overseeing administrative functions. They also have a Director of Development Officer responsible for fundraising and events, who is supported by a Development Specialist. IPF's Creative Content and Community Outreach Specialist shares the organization's mission with the wider community. The non-legal team brings a diverse range of experiences from working at large corporations, higher education institutions, and advocacy groups, further strengthening IPF's capabilities.