The Autism Innocence Project (AIP) is an organization dedicated to supporting autistic individuals who become entangled in the criminal legal system. Our mission is to provide legal assistance and education to ensure fair and equitable justice for members of the autism community. You can learn more about our work on our website: supportAIP.org.
We are seeking law students or faculty who might be interested in volunteering with our organization. This would provide an invaluable opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of law and neurodiversity while contributing to cases that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of autistic individuals.
Students should email autisminnocenceproject@gmail.com if interested in volunteering.
Legislative Initiatives: Development Disabilities such as Autism as Criminal Defendants
- Ensure the presence of a chosen advisor or autism professional during interviews and criminal proceedings.
- Encourage pretrial release to a custodian for DD such as autism.
- Prosecutors and Judges offer Diversion or IJP in criminal cases for defendants with a DD such as autism if there is clinical evidence showing the criminal conduct was a manifestation of their developmental disability.
- Diversion plan should be agreed upon by prosecutors, defense, and experts, to ensure the defendant is given the appropriate support and evidence-based treatment.
- Enforcement of Mandatory Minimums will be waived.
- Those with a DD such as Autism, may seek expungement for convictions prior to the enactment of this legislation.
- Compassionate Release expansion for developmentally disabled inmates
- Federal public defenders and prosecutors must complete four hours of continuing legal education on representation and or prosecuting DD such as autism for autistic defendants.