Where Is Help In General

If you have logged on to this website and this section, you are most likely feeling out of options to help your family member, loved one, or friend.  Innocence Denied sympathizes with your dilemma and understands what you are feeling.  Due to the exact same circumstances, Innocence Denied became a reality.

First of all, finding help for your loved one is not going to be easy, in most cases.  While there has been much positive and encouraging glimmers of hope in recent years, there just are not enough people interested in the plight of innocent individuals being incarcerated. 

Innocence projects have sprung up around the country and are doing extremely fine work towards gaining freedom for many of the innocent.  However, due to the overwhelming influx of requests to these projects, most of them have guidelines in place as to what they will or will not accept.  Most have regional restrictions, case type restrictions, and sentence length restrictions.  (These restrictions will be listed next to the contact information in the "Specialized" section.)  In addition, many of these projects are turning away cases because their current caseload is too large, not due to the merit of the issues being raised.  While this is very frustrating to many innocent individuals, it is also understandable from the perspective of the projects.  If the project takes too many cases at one time, their quality of work will become diluted and eventually will be ineffective.  Innocence Denied does not defend this practice, but does take it into consideration.  One of the goals of Innocence Denied is to show the enormous number of innocent individuals sitting in prison simply because the justice system did not work and that there are not enough people who care about the abhorrent despair and pain this causes everyone.  When contacting these innocence projects, remember that these are the people that cared enough to do something.  If they are not able to help,  we need to encourage others to want to help.

While innocence projects are probably the best known source for aid to the innocent, there are others.  Many attorneys offer their skill and knowledge towards pro-bono (free) work.  While these attorneys are usually more difficult to find than advertised innocence projects, Innocence Denied is sending out feelers to private practice attorneys asking for help.  Basically, what Innocence Denied hopes to furnish is an eventual complete listing of willing pro-bono attorneys, their specialties, and any other criteria they ask for.  The successful resolution of deserving cases can offer strong benefits to new or old practicing attorneys, including the satisfaction and publicity of freeing an innocent individual.  These pro-bono lawyers will be listed in the "Worth A Shot" section.  Again, please understand that this may be one attorney or one law firm considering a deserving case or a couple cases at any given time.  The fact that they are willing to handle any cases pro-bono gives hope to the wrongfully convicted.

The next option open to you is under the section "Last Resorts".  Since you are reading this article, many of you are probably at this stage.  This website and it's purpose could be considered as a last resort.  Publicity attempts, community enlightenment, social or religious groups, and personal advocacy support are all avenues that should be explored in your endeavors to prove innocence.  Sometimes even the most unexpected source may turn out to have contacts, resources, or feel enough compassion towards your situation to find a way to help you.

Finding help for your loved one is never going to be easy unless you are financially well off or know people in the judicial system or political connections.  Even if you have money, you should still be cautious in your choosing of an attorney.  Most attorneys are competent and qualified to do the job you request.  However, they may be overburdened with cases (just like the public defenders!), may not have the experience or trial skills that your case will require, may not have the expert witnesses or investigators needed to prove your case, or may simply not wish to devote the time and energy that your case requires. Always remember that even though they have taken on the responsibility to defend you to the best of their ability, they are human, and have feelings like you and me. No matter what an attorney may tell you, they feel public pressure from their peers, loved ones, and community members concerning what type of case they are defending.  They hear the sensationalized reports from the media, look at the police and lab evidence, and even if only on a subconscious level, make a determination of guilt or innocence. Some consciously determine their client is guilty and perform a shoddy defense because of it, while others uphold their oath and make the state prove guilt.

Most innocent individuals are in prison because their attorney either: 1) was incompetent or inexperienced in the defense needed; 2) believed the state was right about their client's guilt and helped plead them guilty by trial; or 3) simply wished to take the route that required the least amount of effort and time to collect their pay.

For this reason, Innocence Denied is including a section called "Paid/Retained" to offer names of attorneys who have proven to be excellent defenders (at least from their client's point of view!). At least three references are needed to have an attorney placed on this section. A brief synopsis of the recommendation and their area of expertise will be placed beside the contact information. As you will see, this section is a very short list at this time. Innocence Denied is a new website and is asking that if you or your loved one has had a good experience with an attorney, or know someone who has had such a good experience, please send the relevant contact information and reason for recommendation to:

Innocence Denied
PO Box 18477
Pittsburgh Pa 15236
or on the web at: whereishelp@innocencedenied.com

*Innocence Denied needs help in accumulating accurate information and would really appreciate any assistance in this area. This site cannot become complete or valuable to those in need without your help!  NOTE: The recommendations on this site do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or views of Innocence Denied. You must make sure that the attorney is right for you before placing your fate in their hands!*

In summary, this website offers starting contact points for possible "Specialized", "Worth A Shot", "Last Resorts", and "Paid/Retained" help. While this offering will grow with time, never discount any alternative options available. In most cases, a combination of using contacts from all four sections will probably be of most benefit. Do not discount the "Last Resorts" section to start a defense fund for your loved one. If enough members of the community, social groups, religious groups, etc. donate a little money for your loved one's cause, you may be able to obtain a "Paid/Retained" attorney to finally prove their innocence.  You may wish, and it is suggested, that a case profile be placed on this site concerning the facts of your innocence being denied.

Innocence Denied prays that the sections under "Where Is Help?" saves you and your loved one valuable time and money in the effort to prove innocence.  It is hoped that one or more of the contacts herein is the key to open the prison doors.  Always keep in mind that while the information offered here may help some people, many times, luck and good timing plays a key role in obtaining the help you may need.  Never quit trying!

Thank you for visiting Innocence Denied and we hope you spread the word about this new website.  If the information contained on this site was helpful, or of value to you, please help to support this site by sending a donation (even of $1.00) to Innocence Denied, P.O. Box 18477, Pittsburgh, PA 15236.  (Postage stamps are always needed and welcomed.) 

Never give up in your fight for justice and know that truth of your innocence will see the light if you steadfastly maintain the vigil.