Wrongful Convictions

Catalog description

This upper-level course will examine, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the principal problems that lead to the conviction of the innocent and the leading reform proposals. Strong consideration will be given to the ethical imperatives of the police, prosecution, defense lawyers, and the scientific community. Approximately one-half of the class time throughout the semester will be used to cover these ethical considerations. Topics covered will include mistaken eyewitness identification; false confessions; junk forensic science; the role of forensic DNA testing; post-conviction remedies for innocence claims; the use of "jailhouse snitches" and cooperating witnesses; incompetent defense counsel; police and prosecutorial misconduct; ethical and moral problems posed by innocence and the death penalty; and the legal, practical, and ethical issues that arise for policymakers. Drawing on these topics, students will work in teams to study actual innocence/wrongful convictions in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions. Prerequisite: FORE 101, 201.