The CSU|Law Terry Gilbert Wrongful Conviction Clinic

The CSU|LAW Terry Gilbert Wrongful Conviction Clinic provides legal assistance to incarcerated individuals in Ohio with claims of actual innocence or manifest injustice. Cuyahoga County has the tenth most exonerations nationwide since 1989, accounting for more than one-third of all exonerations in Ohio.* The Clinic aims to provide support to wrongfully incarcerated individuals from our community and beyond, most of whom are from underserved communities that routinely face racial discrimination, endure high levels of poverty, and experience greater inequities in the criminal justice system. 

In their coursework, students in the Clinic learn the leading causes of wrongful convictions arising from systemic failures in our criminal justice system, as well as the impact of racial and ethnic bias in convicting innocent people. To gain practical experience, students also work in teams to investigate claims of wrongful conviction and pursue relief in state and federal court on behalf of wrongfully incarcerated individuals.  

Through the analysis and investigation of actual claims of wrongful conviction, students learn how to identify, analyze, and develop a wrongful conviction case.  Working under the supervision of Clinic faculty, and in conjunction with outside counsel and other professionals, students undertake a wide range of work, which can include corresponding and meeting with clients, reviewing case materials and transcripts, identifying and interviewing witnesses, developing an investigative and legal strategy for advancing the client’s case, researching and drafting complaints and briefs, assisting in court proceedings, and, eventually, assisting the client in transitioning from wrongful imprisonment to freedom.

Help for the Wrongfully Convicted

The Clinic will consider assisting incarcerated individuals with post-conviction relief if they have been convicted of a felony in Ohio and have a valid claim of actual innocence or manifest injustice. The Clinic cannot accept convictions outside of Ohio, civil cases, or cases in the appeals process.

If your case meets the criteria listed above, please complete the Client Intake Form. If you are unable to print the form, please write to the Clinic and we will supply the form to you.

Once the Clinic receives a completed Client Intake Form, the Clinic will evaluate your claim. Due to limited resources, the Clinic cannot pursue all claims submitted.  Initial consultations to evaluate your claim do not constitute an agreement to accept a case or begin representation. Do not send additional documents or case materials, which will not be reviewed or returned.

Help the Wrongfully Convicted

$50 | $100 | $250 | $500 | $1000

*All donations will go to the Clinic’s general operating fund

Join Our Mission

Join a community of philanthropic individual and corporate donors who want to rectify wrongful convictions and ensure a fair and equitable criminal justice system for all.

Friends of the Criminal Justice Center

Donors who contribute $1,000 or more to the CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center are designated as Friends of the Criminal Justice Center for one year and recognized on our website.

Become a Friend of the Criminal Justice Center

Partners in Justice

Partners in Justice receive unique benefits from the Clinic and CSU|LAW Justice Center and Clinics, including:

• invitations to special Center and Clinic events, and 
• recognition at all Center and Clinic events, in promotional materials, on social media, and on our website.

Donors who contribute $2,500 or more to the Clinic are designated as Partners in Justice for one year.

Become a Partner in Justice 

Champions of Justice

Champions of Justice members receive exclusive benefits from the CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center and Clinics, including:

• invitations to private events, speaker series, and stakeholder engagement experiences
• recognition at all Center and Clinic events, in promotional materials, on social media, and on our website, and
• members and their employees are offered a free CLE presented by the CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center

Donors who contribute $5,000 or more to the CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center are appointed as Champions of Justive for one year.

Become a Champion of Justice

Board of Advocates

As our most generous benefactors, Board of Advocates members join us as active contribuors in our pursuit for criminal justice equity and reform. Board of Advocate members receive exclusive benefits from CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center and Clinics, including:

• a seat at Board of Advocates-only roundtable events with CSU community leaders and prominent criminal justice leaders,
• invitation-only events, speaker series, and stakeholder engagement experiences,
• the highest tier of recognition at all Center and Clinic events, in promotional materials, on social media, and on our website, and
• members and their employees are offered two free CLEs each year presented by the CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center

Donors who contribute $10,000 or more to the CSU|LAW Criminal Justice Center are appointed to our Board of Advocates for one year.

Join the Board of Advocates