Our current scope of work includes three types of cases which are described below.

Early Release from Prison

Because of harsh sentencing policies in the early 1990s and Washington’s abolishment of parole in 1984, today almost 20% of men and women incarcerated in Washington prisons are serving a life sentence with no hope of release. Many of these individuals are serving sentences that no longer serve a purpose. Our lawyers work with these clients through the clemency process to obtain an early release (commutation).

Juvenile Board (ISRB)

One of the most concerning policy changes in the early 1990s was a nationwide trend that allowed prosecutors to try juveniles as adults. Many teenagers were sent to adult prison for life or long sentences. In light of recent research about the development of the child brain, new laws have allowed a review of cases for people who were sentenced as juveniles and have served twenty years or more. Our volunteer lawyers work with these client through the juvenile board process to seek a early release in light of their growth and rehabilitation.

Immigrant Post-Conviction Relief

In recent years, the threat of deportation for immigrants has significantly increased. There are many people who came to the US legally but because they experienced trauma, and most likely did not speak English, they were unaware they needed to fill out forms for citizenship. There were involved in infractions or crimes in their youth, served their time, and were released and have put their past behind them. However, many face the threat of being torn from their families, children, and the only country they’ve known even though they have already paid their debt to society. Our volunteer lawyers work with these individuals to seek pardons or other post-conviction relief to reach a just outcome.