The Innocence Project was established at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City.

Founding Details

Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld launched the Innocence Project in 1992 as a clinic within Cardozo Law School, inspired by studies revealing eyewitness misidentification in over 70% of wrongful convictions. It started by using emerging DNA testing to exonerate the innocent, evolving from their high- profile O.J. Simpson defense experience into a dedicated nonprofit by 2003. Headquartered at 40 Worth St., Suite 701 in New York, NY, it remains tied to Cardozo while operating nationally.

Key Milestones

  • 1992 : Clinic opens at Cardozo, handling initial DNA-based appeals amid growing awareness of flawed forensics.
  • 2003 : Becomes independent 501(c)(3), expanding beyond clinic model.
  • Ongoing Impact : Helped exonerate hundreds (e.g., 343 by some counts), sparked Innocence Network with 68 global affiliates, and pushed reforms like better eyewitness protocols.

This origin story highlights a pivotal shift in justice reform—imagine two lawyers spotting DNA's potential in a post-Simpson world, turning lab science into lifelines for the wrongfully imprisoned. From NYC's urban grit to nationwide change, it's a testament to persistence.

Why New York?

Cardozo's location in Manhattan placed it near legal hubs, media, and resources for challenging convictions nationwide, despite cases coming from everywhere. No recent relocations noted as of 2026; it's still NYC-based per latest profiles.

TL;DR : Founded 1992 at Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, New York City.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.