Rocky Mountain Innocence Center (RMIC) works to correct and prevent the wrongful conviction of innocent people in Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming.
RMIC is the Innocence Network affiliate covering Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming and is the only nonprofit organization in this region providing pro bono post-conviction innocence investigation and litigation services to those who have been wrongfully convicted.
RMIC receives 15-25 requests per month for assistance each month. Each post-conviction claim of innocence is carefully vetted and screened by RMIC staff before acceptance. Each accepted case is thoroughly investigated for any evidence of innocence that was unavailable at the time of trial. The investigation of these cases takes anywhere from two years to decades to complete. If new evidence of innocence is discovered the case enters the litigation stage where RMIC and cooperating counsel have the burden of proving factual innocence. A finding of factual innocence expunges the exoneree’s record, entitles the individual to compensation for years of wrongful incarceration (in Utah and Nevada, not yet in Wyoming), and most importantly, reunites the victim of wrongful conviction with their family and friends.
In addition to providing free legal services to innocent people in prison, RMIC conducts outreach and education to law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, policymakers, the media, and the public about the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions. Through these educational activities, RMIC advocates for systemic reforms to improve our justice system.
Finally, RMIC works with Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming legislators and other policy advocates to enact legislation to address the causes of wrongful conviction.