Dear John,

As we enter this election year, many of us are reflecting on the meaning and promise of democracy. Top of mind issues include voting rights, free and fair elections, candidate integrity, and the freedom of the press. So, too, should be criminal legal system reform. Because the rule of law is a hallmark of a healthy democracy, the manner in which our criminal legal system is administered is critical. 

At the Innocence Project, we work hard every day to increase access to justice and, in so doing, we uphold fundamental democratic values. Just last year, the Innocence Project, relying on the courts and, in some cases, partnering with elected prosecutors from across the political spectrum, secured the freedom or exoneration of nine people. We also partnered with our Network colleagues to pass more than 10 critical reforms in state legislatures to prevent wrongful convictions and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. 

In recent years, we have seen an inspiring array of bipartisan movements driving policies and practices that promote integrity in the criminal legal system and buttress our democracy. That said, we have also seen fundamentally anti-democratic efforts — including arbitrary, unilateral decision-making by judges and governors — that reduce transparency, fairness, and the participatory nature of our criminal legal system processes. 

Robert Kennedy once said, “justice delayed is democracy denied.” Therefore, our electoral decisions this year (and every year) must be informed by a meaningful understanding of political candidates’ positions on criminal legal system reform issues and supported by a demonstrated commitment to upholding the rule of law in our criminal courts. 

I am sincerely grateful for your support, advocacy, and commitment to changing the system for the better. Together, we can drive the change we want and need.

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Thank you for your support,

Christina Swarns
Executive Director
Innocence Project