A student organization founded in 2022 at California State University, Los Angeles.
Our organization's structure is fully compliant with the recommendations of our affiliates; the Innocence Network and the Innocence Project.
Our goal is to raise student engagement and inspire people to join the movement towards Criminal Justice reform. We believe that education and advocacy are essential in giving a voice to the wrongfully convicted; many of whom have systematic barriers which prevent them from advocating for themselves. Our job is to ensure that injustices are brought to peope's attention, especially our Cal State LA student body.
Dr. Mitchell Eisen
Advisor
Dr. Eisen is Director of the Forensic Psychology Graduate Program here at Cal State L.A. Dr. Eisen is also the Research liaison for the Partnership between CSULA and the Juvenile Court, and a member of the Coordinating Council for the California Forensic Science Institute (CFSI). In addition, Dr. Eisen serves on the panel of experts for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in the area of eyewitness memory.
Karina Olmos
President
I started my academic journey at CSULA in the Fall of 2017 as a Psychology major. Within the field of Psychology, my research interests involve how psychology intersects with the law, specifically how eyewitness memory contributes to the issue of wrongful convictions. At the moment, I hope to pursue an M.S. in Forensic Psychology and to be able to apply that degree within a criminal justice setting. However, when I am not studying, I like to binge watch horror films or play volleyball during the weekends.
Kimia Lavasani
Vice-President
I am a 1st year graduate student, and my research revolves around factors that influence jurors’ decision-making in criminal and civil cases. Most recently, I’ve contributed to the design and development of a study which aims to examine whether emotion regulation instructions can help mitigate some of the biasing effects of emotions in jurors’ decision-making processes. My long-term academic goal is to continue conducting research but as a professor and future mentor.
Farokh Doctormajidi
Treasurer
Coming soon...
Citlali Montes
Secretary
I am a second year undergraduate student at CSULA majoring in Psychology. I am currently part of a lab which focuses on the different factors that play a role in the decision making of jurors. My research interests are not only limited to that covered in the lab but also include research regarding moral outrage and how it drives biases against marginalized groups in arguable legal contexts. Once I obtain my bachelors degree, my next goal is to pursue a masters in Forensic Psychology here at CSULA.
Jayla Edwards
Committee Chair
Jayla Edwards is a first-year graduate student at Cal State LA majoring in Psychology. She is currently interning at Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center- an Adult Residential Care Facility. She was awarded with the National Institues of Health (NIH) MBRS-RISE Undergraduate fellowship with the MORE Programs at Cal State LA. She has the goal of obtaining her doctoral degree to pursue a career in research with current interests in suggestibility, eyewitness memory, and institutionalization.
We host discussion-based meetings; where recommended material as well as real-life cases are analyzed and broken down with the students under the supervision of our faculty advisor. Covered material are recommended either by the Innocence Network or our advisor.
Rafael Ruiz
Conviction: First-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, first-degree and second-degree roberry, first-degree sexual abuse
Sentence: 8 1/3 to 25 years
Contributing Causes of Conviction: Eyewitness Misidentification
Status: Exonerated by DNA Evidence
Conviction Date: 02/27/85
Exoneration Date: 01/28/20
Time Served:
24 years
Christopher Tapp
Conviction: First-degree murder, rape, and use of deadly weapon
Sentence: Life
Contributing Causes of Conviction: False Confessions or Admissions, Informants
Status: Exonerated by DNA Evidence
Conviction Date: 05/28/98
Exoneration Date: 07/17/19
Time Served:
21 years
Huwe Burton
Conviction: Murder, illegal use of weapon
Sentence: 15 years to life
Contributing Causes of Conviction: False Confessions or Admissions
Status: Exonerated Due to False Confession
Conviction Date: 09/25/91
Exoneration Date: 01/24/19
Time Served:
19 years
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