The New Mexico Innocence and Justice Project (NMIJP) is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to free the innocent, overturn wrongful convictions, and create a fair, science-based, and equitable criminal justice system for everyone.
NMIJP recognizes that justice and liberty are essential to a democratic and free society. Our Constitution provides vital rights and protections to uphold these ideals. Unfortunately, our criminal justice system sometimes fails to meet basic standards of fairness and justice. When the criminal justice system fails the accused, it also fails the victims, their families, and our communities at large.
Too often, innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. The reasons for these miscarriages of justice include: flawed scientific evidence, erroneous eye witness identification, false confessions and false informants. Government misconduct and poor lawyering can also play a role. Regardless of the underlying causes, every wrongful conviction weakens our criminal justice system. NMIJP collaborates with local attorneys in support of its mission to free innocent and wrongfully convicted New Mexicans and to strengthen our criminal justice system for everyone.
NMIJP also works to prevent wrongful convictions by advocating for science-based evidence and for policies that ensure fairness, equity, and fidelity to our Constitution. Additionally, NMIJP’s mission includes educating the public, training practitioners, and partnering with law students to create an equitable criminal justice system. NMIJP strives to ensure that the criminal justice system remains accountable to our Constitution and its promise to all citizens of due process and equal protection.