Alabama Post-Conviction Relief Project – Montgomery, AL

Fighting for Justice on Death Row

The Alabama Post-Conviction Relief Project is a vital non-profit legal organization based in Montgomery, Alabama. Founded in 2004, the project addresses a critical gap in the state’s legal system: the lack of guaranteed counsel for death row inmates during state post-conviction proceedings. While the U.S. Constitution guarantees a lawyer for trial, that right does not extend to the complex appeals process that follows. This organization serves as a lifeline for indigent prisoners facing the death penalty, recruiting and supporting volunteer attorneys to ensure that every case is thoroughly investigated and litigated. By providing resources, training, and direct representation, the project seeks to prevent wrongful executions and ensure that the constitutional rights of the most vulnerable defendants are protected.

• Capital Defense: Representing death row inmates in state circuit and appellate courts to challenge convictions and sentences.
• Volunteer Recruitment: Connecting private practice attorneys with death penalty cases and providing them with the mentorship needed to succeed.
• Legal Support: Offering funding for investigators and experts, which are often denied to indigent defendants by the state.
• Systemic Advocacy: highlighting the inequities in Alabama’s capital punishment system, including the lack of a statewide public defender system.

Office Location

The project is headquartered at 817 South Court Street, located in the historic Garden District of Montgomery. The office is situated in a converted residential-style building, typical of the area’s charm, providing a discreet and focused environment for its staff. This location is just south of the main downtown legal hub, offering easier access and a quieter setting for the intensive work required in capital cases.

A Mission of Mercy and Justice

The Alabama Post-Conviction Relief Project operates on the belief that fairness should not depend on a defendant’s ability to pay. They work tirelessly to correct miscarriages of justice, often uncovering evidence of innocence, intellectual disability, or severe mental illness that was missed at trial. If you are a lawyer looking to volunteer for a death penalty case or a family member seeking to find legal aid for a death row inmate, this organization is the primary resource in the state for post-conviction advocacy.