2024 Justice for All Honorees

Arturo Jimenez
Cookie Ridolfi Freedom Award Recipient

The Cookie Ridolfi Freedom Award is presented to a freed or exonerated person who exhibits extraordinary strength and courage in transcending the injustice of their wrongful conviction and using it to drive positive change.

Just 18 years old when wrongfully convicted of murder, Arturo spent 25 years in prison before his exoneration in 2020. Arturo’s calming presence is a gift to fellow freed and exonerated people and to those still incarcerated, as he continues to help others heal their trauma through restorative justice circle practices.

Veronica “Ronnie” Sandoval Carmona
Quedellis “Rick” Walker Spirit Award Recipient

The Quedellis “Rick” Walker Spirit Award is presented to a person who exemplifies Rick’s spirit through their extraordinary commitment to creating opportunities and providing mentorship for exonerated individuals.

Ronnie spent four years fighting for her son Arthur’s freedom, and tragically lost him not long after his exoneration. Arthur was a strong advocate for legislative reform to improve the criminal legal system, and Ronnie carries on his legacy through her years of hard work and dedication to the wrongfully convicted, serving as a loving mentor and advocate to those who experienced the same tragic circumstances as her beloved son Arthur.

Re-visit the 2023 JFA Gala

More than 300 people gathered at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco on October 5, 2023 to celebrate at the annual JFA gala. The event, emceed by NCIP exoneree Kevin Harper, opened with a video retrospective following NCIP from humble beginnings to a now-thriving organization. Grant Fine, this year’s Champion of Justice, was honored for his excellent work on NCIP cases, ultimately helping to free nine people. NCIP exoneree Jeremy Puckett received the Cookie Ridolfi Freedom Award. Puckett was honored for his persistence, strength and resilience in his nearly two decades long fight for freedom and reunification with his family. The evening concluded with a moving ballroom dance by NCIP client George Souliotes and his girlfriend Blanche. Before his arrest, George was a regular on the ballroom dancing circuit. George, freed in 2013, and now 82 years old, recently celebrated 10 years of freedom.

Thank you to everyone who attended last year’s gala and to our incredible 2023 JFA sponsors for making the evening possible!