Betting On Freedom: Poker Tournament Backs Wrongful Conviction Advocacy

October 2 is Wrongful Conviction Day, a global effort to recognize the reality and enduring impact of innocent people serving time for crimes they did not commit. The Innocence Center, a national nonprofit dedicated to criminal justice reform, marks the occasion with events that build awareness, raise funds, and support exonerees as they rebuild their lives.

My own calling to this work started with a victimology course at Fresno State University, where I first saw how wrongful convictions could happen to anyone. Since then, every step in my legal career, from interning at the California Innocence Project to leading the SDCBA’s New Lawyer Division, has been motivated by a commitment to justice for marginalized and overlooked individuals.

Working alongside experienced lawyers at The Innocence Center, our team focuses on freeing the wrongfully convicted, educating the public about wrongful convictions, and restoring dignity to those who have lost years to mistakes in our legal system. We serve communities most at risk for incarceration, but the truth is that wrongful convictions can reach anyone, regardless of background.

To observe Wrongful Conviction Day this year, The Innocence Center is hosting the All In for Justice Poker Tournament at Jamul Casino and Resort. Poker shares common ground with litigation: both require strategic thinking, reading people, and making decisions with incomplete information. Across eleven years at the poker table, I’ve seen the game unite people of every profession. It’s accessible and familiar, making it a welcoming way to start deeper conversations about justice and the causes behind wrongful convictions.

The tournament is more than entertainment. We hope participants leave with appreciation for the complexity of the criminal legal system, insight into preventable mistakes, and motivation to champion fairness in court, on juries, and in daily discussions about justice.

Every action, whether registering to play, sponsoring a seat, donating, or even sharing a post, compounds to create real change. Together, these efforts advance our mission, restore lives, and foster fair outcomes for those who need it most. For details or to get involved, go to givebutter.com/TIC-All-InForJustice or contact me at claudia@theinnocencecenter.org.