Wrongful Convictions: Causes and Remedies

Course Description

Actual innocence is not always a successful defense in criminal prosecutions and may not be grounds for release from prison. Currently there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of people serving prison sentences who are not guilty of the crimes for which they were convicted. Many are on death row. Advances in DNA technology have led to the exoneration of some of the wrongfully convicted. However, DNA testing is not always available or appropriate. In this seminar we examine issues and problems inherent in the criminal justice system leading to the conviction of the innocent. We focus on such factors as race, eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, the use of informants, prosecutorial and police misconduct, and forensic fraud. We explore the death penalty as it relates to wrongful convictions, and debate its validity as a deterrent and an appropriate punishment. Finally, students consider legislative initiatives and proposed reforms to protect defendants and inmates who are factually innocent.