The first exclusively non-DNA Innocence Clinic in the country, the Michigan Innocence Clinic has successfully won the release of 36 men and women who had been wrongfully convicted of crimes and served anywhere from a few months to 46 years in prison.
About the Michigan Innocence Clinic
Unlike many other innocence clinics, which specialize in DNA exonerations, the Michigan Innocence Clinic focuses on innocence cases where there is no DNA to be tested.
Under the supervision of co-directors David Moran and Imran Syed and clinical fellow Elizabeth Cole, Innocence Clinic students work on all aspects of the cases, including investigating new evidence, researching and writing briefs, arguing court motions and conducting evidentiary hearings.
The clinic’s work spans all levels of state and federal courts. Since its founding in 2009, the clinic has successfully won the release of 36 people who had been wrongfully convicted and served anywhere from a few months to 46 years in prison.
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Information for Students
Current Michigan Law School students who are interested in being a part of the Michigan Innocence Clinic can do so in two ways: either by enrolling in the clinic for credit during the academic year, or by applying to be an intern in the summer.
During the academic year, the clinic requires a one-year enrollment commitment (seven graded credits per semester); prospective students can apply to enroll for the following academic year during the winter clinic enrollment period (March).
Internship applications (consisting of a cover letter and resume) are accepted early in the winter semester for the following summer. Details will be posted by the clinical programs administrator, as summer hiring for all MLaw clinics is handled through a centralized process.
General questions about the Innocence Clinic can be sent to innocenceclinicapplications@umich.edu.
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Information for Convicted People
We highly recommend that applications for review by the Innocence Clinic be completed by the convicted person. However, it is also permissible to have the application completed by a friend or family member. When completing the application, applicants are encouraged to:
- Make sure their answers are legible. Feel free to use a typewriter if needed.
- Be clear about what relevant documents are available and who has them.
Please do not send any supporting materials along with an application. We will request additional materials if we need them.
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Support the Clinic’s Work
The Michigan Innocence Clinic is a nonprofit legal aid program that provides its services free of charge. Substantial costs are involved in our investigative and litigation efforts, and we are grateful for the generous support of the University and the Law School that makes our work possible.
An area in which the clinic continues to seek support is the re-entry needs of our exonerees. Despite being innocent, our exonerated clients face significant financial hurdles upon release, and they don’t receive any state support for months or even years after release.
Michigan Innocence Clinic co-founder and co-director David Moran has created a special fund to provide stopgap financial support to our exonerees. Those looking to make a donation to this fund should contact Prof. Moran at morand@umich.edu or 734.615.5419.
Stories of Freed Clients

Shawn Brown
Exonerated: April 6, 2021
Calhoun County
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Alex Perry Jr.
Freed: April 5, 2021
Oakland County
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Walter Forbes
Exonerated: December 9, 2020
Jackson County
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Kevin Harrington
Exonerated: April 21, 2020
Wayne County
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Eric Anderson
Exonerated: April 30, 2019
Wayne County
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Kendrick Scott
Exonerated: November 28, 2018
Wayne County
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Justly Johnson
Exonerated: November 28, 2018
Wayne County
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Mubarez Ahmed
Exonerated: October 26, 2018
Wayne County
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Richard Phillips
Exonerated: March 28, 2018
Wayne County
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Ray McCann
Exonerated: December 7, 2017
St. Joseph County
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Lamarr Monson
Exonerated: August 25, 2017
Wayne County
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Desmond Ricks
Exonerated: June 1, 2017
Wayne County
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Marwin McHenry
Exonerated: May 1, 2017
Wayne County
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Davontae Sanford
Exonerated: July 19, 2016
Wayne County
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Lorinda Swain
Exonerated: May 19, 2016
Calhoun County
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Dawan Tyner
Successfully concluded: September 22, 2015
Wayne County
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Andrew Babick
Successfully concluded: February 4, 2015
Calhoun County
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Jaime Peterson
Exonerated: September 8, 2014
Kalkaska County
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Victor Caminata
Exonerated: January 22, 2014
Wexford County
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Selesa Likine
Exonerated: November 14, 2012
Oakland County
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David Gavitt
Exonerated: June 6, 2012
Ionia County
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Thomas Cress
Successfully concluded: December 28, 2010
Calhoun County
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Julie Baumer
Exonerated: October 15, 2010
Macomb County
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Dwayne Provience
Exonerated: April 14, 2010
Wayne County
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Marvin Reed
Exonerated: July 8, 2009
Wayne County
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Deshawn Reed
Exonerated: July 8, 2009
Wayne County
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