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How is CM the same/different than an Innocence Project?
The name Innocence Project (IP) has come to mean those law school pro bono clinics working with the New York Innocence Project. On the whole they work on wrongful convictions that rely on DNA results to prove innocence.Similarly, CM works on wrongful convictions; however, in addition to handling DNA cases, CM also does field investigation cases (cases wherein DNA does not play a role). CM does not charge for any aspect of the case. CM will consider a case in any state of the U.S. as well as Canada. CM also keeps up with its clients after freedom. See also About Us.
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How do I submit a case for consideration?
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What was CM’s first case?
Jorge De Los Santos was convicted in 1975 for murder. Along with attorney Paul Casteleiro, Jim McCloskey successfully had this conviction overturned July 1983. This case resulted in the establishment of Centurion Ministries, Inc. -
How can I contact you about a case?
All case inquiries must come in the form of a letter so that we may carefully review and answer them in a complete and efficient manner. Be sure to write legibly and include a full return address and allow 8 to 10 weeks for our reply. We read and respond to all letters. Click here to review how to submit a case. -
How do you decide to take on a case?
CM generally takes on 1-2 new cases every year. CM staff makes an extensive review of the entire facts of the case and where warranted, the case is deemed a prospective case. When time, money and other necessary resources become available to allow us to take on a new case, the task of choosing is difficult. Factors such as location, belief in actual innocence, and character of the person we'd be fighting for go into the final decision to take on a case. Also see our ABOUT US page. -
What types of cases do you work on?
While we primarily consider murder and rape cases, we will consider other cases of factual innocence which carry a life or death sentence. Also see our ABOUT US page. -
What types of cases do you not work on?
We do not consider accidental death or self defense murder cases. We do not consider he said / she said rape cases. Typically we do not consider child abuse or child sex cases unless there is physical evidence. The NACADRC is a possible resource for this type of conviction.Also see our ABOUT US page.
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Can you refer me to an attorney or investigator?
It is our normal practice not to make referrals to attorneys or investigators. -
Who else can help me?
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Why must the inmate write directly to CM?
We have found that dealing directly with the inmate produces the best results. Friends and family are welcome to assist when requested, but the inmate is expected to do the lion's share of the work with respect to supplying case information. Additionally, our staff is small and we are not equipped to handle a large volume of phone calls; therefore inmates should not call us unless we specifically request it. -
Can the inmate call you about his/her case? Can friends or family call you to discuss a case?
In the kindest way possible: No.Our office is not designed to handle huge volumes of phone calls or email; therefore, ALL case inquiries must come in the form of a letter from the inmate so that we may carefully review them and answer them in a complete and efficient manner. Write legibly and include a full return address. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for our reply. We will read and respond to all letters. Click here to review how to submit a case.
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Why should I not send documents unsolicited?
Our office is only so big! We can't accommodate materials that we may not find pertinent to a case. -
How much do CM’s services cost?
CM does not charge for any of our services. -
What do you suggest I read?
There's no limit to the books, studies, and essays one should seek out in order to understand wrongful convictions. New information is coming out all the time; however, we do have a few books we'd suggest you consider: Click here to view a short list of suggested reading. -
What cases are you working on?
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How many successes have you had?
We've had many! Click here to review our Cases page. Jim McCloskey started the first case in 1980 – Jorge De Los Santos. -
How long has CM been working on behalf of the wrongly convicted?
CM was incorporated in 1983 after the exoneration of Jorge De Los Santos. -
Why do you call the organization “Centurion Ministries”?
CM is a ministry to exonerate and free the wrongly convicted. CM is named after the Roman Centurion soldier who stood at the foot of the cross and proclaimed, "Surely this one is innocent". Luke 23:47 RSV. -
Is CM a religious organization or a church?
No. Although Jim McCloskey founded CM out of a spiritual calling, CM is not a religious organization. It is of no interest to CM if anyone associated with CM has a particular faith or any such inclination at all. -
Why is the work of CM needed?
Our justice system is an adversarial system and is designed to convict the guilty and acquit the innocent. It is not designed to fix a wrongful conviction, thus overturning a conviction is twice as hard as convicting someone. The conviction of an innocent person can happen for a variety of reasons: blind focus by police, misidentification, poor police investigation, prosecutorial misconduct, and fraudulent forensic experts to just list a few. While advances are being made to avoid convicting the wrong person, many people will remain wrongly imprisoned unless new evidence is found that could overturn their conviction. It is CM's mission to seek out those factually innocent and work to free them. Your generous donation is greatly appreciated. -
How does my donation help CM?
The cost of reinvestigation, forensic testing, and litigation can range between $100,000 and $500,000. Your donation allows us to free an innocent person at no cost to the person or his/her family. Your gift brings freedom. Thank you! -
Have you ever gotten out someone who was guilty?
No. When our investigation causes us to lose confidence in the factual innocence of a client, we immediately drop the case. -
Do any of your investigations determine that the inmate really is guilty?
Yes. CM was wrong about the innocence of Roger Keith Coleman and five other cases in our history. -
Can I volunteer with Centurion Ministries?
If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at info@centurionministries.org. The backbone of this organization is the volunteer staff. We simply could not go through the volume of letters we receive without their help. Please note that we have limited work space and do not have a huge turn over rate; therefore, we do not have openings often. -
How can I become a summer intern?
If you are interested in volunteering with us for the summer, please email us at info@centurionministires.org by the January prior to that summer. Please supply a cover letter outlining why you want to spend you summer with us and a resume. -
Is Centurion Ministries, Inc. affiliated with Princeton University?
No, Centurion Ministries is not associated with a college or university. -
Do you have a mailing list and/or newsletter?
Yes. It is sent out every June & December in a mass mailing to all those on our mailing list. Our mailing list is NEVER given or sold to any other organization. If you would like to be on our mailing list to receive this Newsletter, please complete the subscription form. Click here to review our past newsletters.
