Death Penalty

Since 1976, more than 100 people have been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in the United States. The most comprehensive study of capital trials ever conducted found that nearly seven of every 10 death sentences handed down by state courts from 1973 to 1995 were overturned. Most cases were overturned due to “serious, reversible error,” including egregiously incompetent defense counsel, suppression of exculpatory evidence, false confessions, racial manipulation of the jury, “snitch” and accomplice testimony and faulty jury instructions.

The Justice Project Education Fund advances reforms that would increase fairness and accuracy in the administration of capital punishment, including the promotion of DNA testing, adequate legal representation and procedural safeguards such as rules governing police interrogations, eyewitness identification and forensic labs. The Fund closely coordinates its efforts with the related Justice Project, which was founded in 1999 and addresses unfairness and inaccuracy in the American criminal justice system.

The Fund raises awareness about reforms endorsed by both death penalty supporters and opponents. It currently works intensively in four states—Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas—regarded as national bellwethers for change on this issue. The Fund provides nonpartisan information and policy options to the public and state policy makers.

For more information, visit The Justice Project Education Fund’s Web site.