Amicus Requests
The Innocence Network files amicus briefs in cases that involve causes of wrongful convictions and where issues are covered within one of our many policy positions.An amicus brief -- or friend-of-the-court brief -- is a written legal argument filed by a person or group with strong interest or expertise on the subject matter of a case, but who is not a party to the action.
The Innocence Network often files amicus briefs regarding the causes of wrongful convictions and other areas relating to the Network's expertise. The Network’s Committee on Amicus Policies (CAP) makes all decisions regarding in which cases briefs will be filed and the content of the briefs. CAP considers many factors in making its decision, including the jurisdiction of the case, the particular issues being litigated, and the potential impact of a Network brief. Requests for amicus briefs can be submitted by individual lawyers or by organizations.
For a list of previously filed Network briefs, please see the Innocence Network Brief Bank.
The Network’s Committee on Amicus Policies (CAP) makes decisions about which cases amicus briefs will be filed in based on a set of internal procedures that have been approved by the Network's Executive Board. Please be advised that even if the proposed issue falls into a Network area of interest, the CAP retains full discretion on whether or not to file a Network amicus brief in any particular case. Before submitting an amicus brief request, please familiarize yourself with the issues on which the Innocence Network has adopted a policy position.
- DNA evidence
- Shaken Baby Syndrome/abusive head trauma
- Other forensic sciences
- False confessions
- Eyewitness identifications
- Standards for actual innocence and new evidence
- Ineffective assistance of counsel
- Prosecutorial misconduct
All amicus brief requests must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the amicus brief due date to allow adequate time for review of the request and preparation of the brief. If the request is for the Innocence Network to sign on to an existing brief, as opposed to drafting and filing a brief of its own, this 30-day rule does not apply.
The procedure to submit an Amicus Brief Request Form is as follows:
Go to the Network’s Amicus Brief Request Form and complete all of the mandatory fields. Mandatory fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). The form may be saved while in process and submitted at a later date if you do not have all of the information available.
If requesting that the Network sign on to an existing amicus brief, attach a copy of the brief in the space provided in the form. File uploads may not work from some mobile devices. If you are unable to upload the document, please try again from a computer.
Attach a copy of:
- The decision being appealed
- Any other relevant briefs and documents, if available
Enter the due date for the amicus brief. As noted above, the brief due date must be at least 30 days after the request form submission date (except if the request is for the Network to sign on to an existing brief).
Once all mandatory fields are completed and the relevant documents are attached, please click the “Submit Form” button. You will receive an email confirmation after you submit the request form. CAP will contact you if more information is needed and/or to advise you of its decision on whether the amicus brief request has been approved or denied.
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