WHAT IS IT?

Innocence Project Delaware in collaboration with the Delaware Law Related Education Center launched The Wrongful Conviction Workshop, an engaging and interactive program designed for Title 1 Delaware high schools. Sophia Block, Community Engagement Manager, and Jessica Auletta, Director of Case Intake and Investigations, lead this workshop and provide students with a dynamic learning experience unlike any other, incorporating real-world case studies, hands-on activities, and a mock trial to examine the factors contributing to wrongful convictions, such as forensic science limitations and systemic bias. Public education on wrongful convictions is essential to preventing future injustices, strengthening trust in the legal system, and equipping individuals with the knowledge needed to advocate for meaningful criminal justice reforms.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Innocence Project Delaware (IPD) staff members travel to classrooms to teach the wrongful conviction workshop for a class period.

• Students review a Delaware case and present evidence-based arguments for innocence or guilt based on the facts presented.

• Students learn about factors that contribute to wrongful convictions.

• Students learn how Innocence Project Delaware works to address wrongful convictions.

BENEFITS

By fostering critical thinking and civic engagement, the Wrongful Conviction Workshop not only educates students on systemic flaws within the criminal justice system but also inspires them to explore careers in law, forensic science, and social justice. It ensures that students from diverse backgrounds have access to this invaluable educational opportunity and are empowered to become informed advocates for justice in Delaware. If you are interested in hosting IPD’s workshop, please email Sophia Block at sblock@innocencede.org.

Through this initiative, IPD is driving meaningful change, fostering a more just society, and shaping the next generation of legal advocates.