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Screening DNA Cases – Systems & Considerations

Screening DNA Cases – Systems & Considerations. Innocence Network Conference March 2012 Amy Kochanasz, Intake Coordinator, Innocence Project of Florida. IPF’s Models. We are a free-standing non-profit organization

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Screening DNA Cases – Systems & Considerations

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  1. Screening DNA Cases – Systems & Considerations Innocence Network Conference March 2012 Amy Kochanasz, Intake Coordinator, Innocence Project of Florida

  2. IPF’s Models • We are a free-standing non-profit organization • No state funding, nor any direct assistance from schools or public defenders’ offices • However, try to cultivate as many relationships as possible with groups/orgs that would be beneficial to our work • i.e. FACDL, Florida Bar Foundation, formal externship program with FSU’s and UF’s law schools • Grants support 7 full-time staff members: CEO, Executive Director, Assistant Director, Staff Attorney, Intake Coordinator, Development Coordinator, Director of Social Services • Investigator is on a case by case contract basis • We provide our services pro bono and focus only on actual innocence cases where DNA testing can be utilized to overturn a conviction • Non-DNA cases in Florida are referred to our “sister” project: Miami Law Innocence Clinic, run out of University of Miami School of Law

  3. IPF’s Models • State specific evaluation • Only work on cases where the conviction originated from a Florida state court – Out of state and federal cases are referred to other projects or organizations if appropriate • We are not able to refer people to pro bono attorneys within their respective FL counties

  4. IPF Intake Process • The Intake Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of our case evaluation process; does not relinquish responsibility until a case has either been denied or officially accepted • Policy that the initial request must come from the inmate; however, we still deal with advocate letters, emails, phone calls, and occasional walk-ins • Initial Letter; Screening Questionnaire; Document Collection; Case Review; Recommendation Memo; Legal Team Meeting; Decision • Impossible for the Intake Coordinator to handle all aspects of the job without the assistance of our carefully vetted volunteers, and students who participate through our formal externship program.

  5. Document Collection • Documents are requested from the inmate and/or from his/her advocate(s) • Florida has extremely open public records laws • Fla. Stat. ch. 119 - Anyone anywhere is able to request documents from any FL state agency regarding any closed case and, as long as a person is willing to pay the price, receive whatever documents the person may want • Must cultivate relationships with Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, law enforcement agencies, Clerk of courts, State Attorneys’ Offices • In order to minimize expenses, we also cultivate relationships with Public Defenders’ Offices and private defense attorneys • Former interns who have gone on to practice throughout FL, as well as board members, are also very helpful!

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