Wrongful Conviction

The newly updated, revised second edition of Wrongful Conviction addresses and incorporates numerous highly significant developments involving data, law, social science research, and the forensic sciences that relate to wrongful convictions in the American system of justice and that have occurred since the first edition was published in 2011. Coverage includes the incidence, correlates, causes, and consequences of wrongful convictions, as well as recommended reforms. New materials include reference to data made available in the National Registry of Exonerations, coverage of recent federal and state court decisions (including, for example, the cases featured in the Netflix series Making a Murderer), and tracking legislative and other policy innovations nationwide. The volume is organized in the form of a casebook, relying on edited judicial decisions and complementary materials from law, psychology, criminal justice, and the forensic sciences. It is appropriate for use in law schools, graduate and upper-division undergraduate criminal justice classes, and in related disciplines concerned with the administration of justice and wrongful convictions.

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION

"Wrongful convictions are tragedies on multiple levels. By understanding how they occur, however, we can learn how to prevent them — and better identify those that exist. This text is a valuable resource for anyone interested in advancing justice and safety through our systems of criminal justice."— Stephen Saloom, Policy Director, Innocence Project

"The ice has finally been broken. Acker and Redlich's Wrongful Conviction is the first casebook dedicated solely to the subject of wrongful convictions. It has set a high standard of excellence that will be a tough act to follow. Not only will this well-organized and easy-to-read casebook appeal to law professors who teach seminars in such subjects as wrongful convictions, criminal procedure, and psychology and the law, but it should also appeal to undergraduate professors who teach students interested in careers in law and criminal justice."— Steven A. Drizin, Clinical Professor of Law and Legal Director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions, Northwestern University School of Law

"This book sets out an important and accessible track of study. Starting with the question of what is a wrongful conviction, the authors also explain the basic features of the criminal process and evidence law, and introduce contributions from the social sciences to help our understanding of sources of error. That journey will engage all interested in understanding what can cause wrongful convictions and what can improve the quality of criminal justice."— Brandon L. Garrett, Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law

"Acker and Redlich provide a current and comprehensive analysis of the legal procedures and standards that produce and resolve wrongful criminal convictions. Their presentation is part handbook for lawyers, part history lesson for scholars, and part quest for policy reforms. Their coverage is engaging and broad: from false confessions and faulty eyewitness identification, to flawed forensic evidence and, ultimately, compensation for those who are exonerated. I urge all defense attorneys to read and use this book; and I beg all prosecutors to do the same. Professors around the country: assign this book to all of your students!" — Kimberly J. Cook, Professor of Sociology and Criminology, University of North Carolina Wilmington

"Acker and Redlich have succeeded admirably in achieving their goals of selecting watershed and little-known, but important cases that define and illustrate the focal issues in each area of wrongful conviction and in discussing the results of relevant social science research and their policy implications. The notes and questions following each section are excellent. The notes provide supplemental material in a condensed fashion and the questions prompt thoughtful dialogue and encourage further study. … an outstanding scholarly contribution to the field of wrongful conviction." — Criminal Law Bulletin

"An excellent book ... It should also be on the shelf of every scholar interested in wrongful convictions, as it provides a wealth of important materials." — Criminal Justice Review