About the Innocence Project of Iowa

The Innocence Project of Iowa was founded in 2007 by a group of attorneys, professors, and students committed to the prevention of wrongful convictions and the exoneration of innocent persons. While the Iowa/Nebraska Innocence Project and other regional innocence organizations previously accepted Iowa cases, the Innocence Project of Iowa is the first innocence organization specifically focused on investigating Iowa cases and ensuring the integrity of the Iowa criminal justice system.

The Project has no paid staff but relies fully on volunteer lawyers, professors, students, and others. Case intake and initial screening is completed by the paralegal program at Iowa Lakes Community College, and additional support is provided by criminal justice students at Buena Vista University, law students and journalism students at the University of Iowa, and law students at Drake University. The Project is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation and is a member of the nationwide Innocence Network.

Board of Directors

Brian Farrell, Toddville

Mark Gruwell, Estherville

Tom Lustgraaf, Council Bluffs

Kent A. Simmons, Davenport