When there’s a purpose, you will find passion.
What an engaging discussion last night at the Law Courts’ Inn with Tamara Levy, QC who spoke to us about the Innocence Project in both Canada and the United States.
Tamara Miriam Levy graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1996 and has since built a career focusing on wrongful convictions. In 2007, she co-founded UBC’s Innocence Project, where she has served as director for nearly a decade. In 2015, she co-founded the Criminal Defence Advocacy Society, which pursues law reform and advocacy work related to criminal defence. Levy has presented extensively on the topic of wrongful convictions, including conferences and sessions presented by the National Judicial Institute, Simon Fraser University, Crown counsel and others. She has also chaired and spoken at the Trial Lawyers Association of BC (TLABC) annual criminal law conference.
The discussion was incredible. We learned how wrongful convictions occur, including a review of a number of Canadian wrongful conviction cases.
The Innocence Project exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustices.
When you hear the stories of those who have been wrongfully convicted, it is heartbreaking! Shout out to the various Innocence Projects both in Canada and the USA for their dedication to this cause! And Thank you to the Medical Legal Society of British Columbia for putting on such a powerful presentation. #criminaljusticereform #accesstojustice #passion #law #theinnocenceproject
The Innocence Project
About This Project
The UBC Innocence Project at the Allard School of Law exists to help the wrongfully convicted overturn their sentences and reclaim their freedom, while providing our law students with a unique experience of real casework as part of their studies. You can make a donation to support the Project by clicking here.
The prevention of wrongful conviction is a fundamental challenge for any justice system. The fact is, sometimes it is very difficult to completely prevent. However, there is no better demonstration of the legal profession’s capacity for good than the freeing of innocent prisoners. Innocence organizations across North America have a great history of helping overturn wrongful convictions.
The UBC Innocence Project at the Allard School of Law provides accessible and independent assistance with the post-conviction review process to those who have been convicted of a serious crime but maintain their innocence. The Project gives Allard School of Law students an opportunity to work with experienced and established lawyers to investigate cases of wrongful conviction, thereby learning about the frailties of the criminal justice system and gaining invaluable practical and educational experience. Through the Project you have the opportunity to help provide a student with one of the most valuable experiences they will have at Allard School of Law. It is in this office that the law comes alive for them. The law school provides the Project with space and funds the academic components of the program, but the investigative work would not be possible without donations. Your gift will go directly towards the costs of necessary investigative work, evidence testing and consultation with experts.
Make your donation today and you could help free an innocent prisoner, while igniting a passion for criminal law in our students.
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