Arizona Justice Project

On this day, 161 years ago in 1865, Union soldiers arrived to Galveston, Texas to deliver long over-due news that all enslaved Black people were free. This news came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863. The 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery in this county, was officially ratified six months later. 

Opal Lee, an American teacher, counselor and activist, is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” - a day to commemorate freedom, resilience, and achievement. In 2021, Juneteenth officially became a federally recognized holiday thanks to the tireless advocacy and dedication of Opal Lee and many others. 

We recognize this day to celebrate FREEDOM, to RECOGNIZE harm done in enslaving Black individuals in this country, and to continue our work to CORRECT INJUSTICES in the criminal legal system.

Resources: https://www.splcenter.org/learning-for-justice/juneteenth-meaning-freedom/ https://juneteenth.com/

Please join us in welcoming Leah Rorie as AJP’s new Intake Coordinator and (very) soon-to-be Paralegal!

Leah will be one of the first points of contact for individuals seeking assistance from the Arizona Justice Project.

Before joining AJP, Leah worked for three years at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where she provided litigation support for prosecutors handling complex criminal cases. Her experience included trial preparation, case management, legal document review, and coordinating with attorneys, witnesses, and law enforcement agencies. Prior to that, she worked in civil litigation for two and a half years, providing support to attorneys throughout litigation. 

Leah earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Criminal Justice Studies and is soon to have her Paralegal Studies degree from Phoenix College.

Her interest in innocence and post-conviction work stems from a passion for legal research, advocacy, and ensuring that every person has meaningful access to justice.

We are happy to have Leah aboard and welcome her to the AJP Team!

Attention, Southern Arizona friends!

The Reclaim Your Future Coalition is continuing to help Arizonans expunge eligible ma*****na records through June 30.

Join us tomorrow, June 6, at Sunset Educational Center for a presentation on ma*****na expungement and a free legal clinic.

We are proud to partner with Trulieve Dispensary and Sunset Glass Gallery to help connect community members with free expungement services and information.

If you or someone you know may be eligible for ma*****na expungement, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the process and receive free assistance. Thank you to our state-wide partners in these efforts —

📍 2725 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716
📅 June 6 from 11am-4pm
⚖️ Free Expungement Presentation & Legal Aid Clinic

Yesterday, one of our clients was granted parole by the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency after the Board took into consideration his growth and rehabilitation over the course of 25 years in prison. Our client availed himself of all possible programs, stayed out of trouble, and maintained strong family and community support over the years. The community that came together to support our client was incredible and we are grateful he is getting this second chance.

Welcome to AJP summer law clerks, Aziza, Dahlia, Jenna, and Madison, who started today and hit the ground running with learning about the post-conviction review process and beginning case review. We are so lucky to have you all join us this summer!

Reclaim Your Future is proud to partner with Trulieve Dispensary and Sunset Glass Gallery to help Tucson community members move forward by addressing past ma*****na-related charges. Join us on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a free Ma*****na Expungement Presentation and Legal Clinic.

We will see you at Sunset Educational Center! 2725 E Grant Rd Tucson, AZ 85716

{Ink}arcerated is this Friday, May 15! The show is free admission from 6-10pm, and will feature over 400 works of art created by men and women incarcerated in Arizona. All art sales benefit the “Center for Correctional Solutions Scholarship” for system-impacted learners. To RSVP, visit the link in our bio or in the comments. This is a wonderful show filled with pieces from extremely talented artists and for a great cause. We hope you’re able to make it!

Calvin Duncan, an Exoneree from Louisiana, was elected Clerk of Criminal Court in New Orleans Parish by 68% of the electorate last November. Calvin ran for the Criminal Clerk of Court because, he stated, “It’s the most important department in this city because it deals with your life and liberty.”

Members of the Louisiana Legislature fast tracked a bill aimed to eliminate the Criminal Clerk of Court position, and, yesterday, the Louisiana Governor signed it into law. This effectively strips Calvin of the position he was duly elected to perform beginning Monday, May 4.

Calvin Duncan served 28 years in prison in Louisiana for a crime he did not commit. He was later exonerated. While incarcerated, he saw the difficulties individuals faced in getting their records to argue their cases in court. Calvin helped hundreds of prisoners get records and advocated for people in court.

Clavin went to law school so he could continue advocating for people in prison. He then ran for Clerk of the Criminal Court to change a system that was oppressive. And he won.

Clavin has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction.

WE STAND WITH CALVIN!

The Arizona Justice Project was nominated for Best of the Capitol—Nonprofit Advocacy Group! To vote for us, visit the link below! We are extremely honored to be considered!

Last weekend, members from AJP attended the annual Innocence Network Conference in Chicago. The Innocence Network is comprised of over 70 organizations worldwide dedicated to identifying and exonerating the wrongfully convicted, working to address systemic causes of wrongful conviction, and advocating to compensate and support individuals who have suffered the unimaginable of wrongful arrest, conviction, and incarceration.

The conference, which is always humbling, inspiring, and extremely impactful, brought together over 1,300 individuals from the innocence community around the world, including advocates, experts, freed and exonerated individuals, family members, and friends. We were fortunate to be amongst so many dedicated individuals with the expertise, passion, and experience that fuels the heart and soul of this incredibly important work.

The reports that 3,798 individuals have been exonerated since 1989 — a combined 35,447 years lost. At the conference this year, more than 300 individuals who suffered wrongful conviction were in attendance, totaling 6,832+ years lost. It is important that we continue this work to identify and represent wrongfully convicted individuals in Arizona, to find a path to freedom, and assist clients upon release.

Thank you for another great conference and for bringing all of us together.