CRIM 4310

Students will analyze the phenomenon of wrongful convictions. They will critically examine factors linked to wrongful convictions such as false confessions, eyewitness misidentifications, government misconduct, bias and racism, police interrogation techniques, Mr. Big Operations, tunnel vision, faulty forensic science, ineffective counsel, and other underlying legal issues. Students will examine cases of wrongful convictions to illustrate these factors, as well as engage with research to analyze and identify causes of wrongful convictions. They will also examine responses to and prevention of wrongful convictions, including the role of Innocence projects and other post-conviction review work.