Wrongful Convictions (CRJU 252)

Term: 2025-2026 - Fall

Faculty

Patricia A WayShow MyInfo popup for Patricia A Way

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Schedule

Tue-Thu, 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM (8/25/2025 - 12/12/2025) Location: MAIN

Description

Explores personal, relational, social-systemic, legal, and psychological dimensions of wrongful convictions. Begins with the personal stories of wrongfully convicted people and the familial, communal, and social harms they entail. We then turn to a brief overview of the agents and agencies that contribute to the obtention of a conviction in U.S. criminal legal systems: lawmakers and criminal law; police and law enforcement, including forensic and investigative procedures and personnel; prosecutors and prosecutorial offices; judges and the judiciary; defense attorneys and the defense bar. Throughout, we consider the cognitive biases, errors, and overt misconduct among these agents and agencies that contribute to wrongful convictions. Finally, we will raise questions about whether healing and policy reform are possible and what forms they might take.