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LAW 717: Actual Innocence

This course explores the legal landscape of wrongful conviction of the factually innocent. Students review empirical evidence of the prevalence of wrongful conviction; examine its most common causes, including false confessions and faulty eyewitness testimony; dissect the legal procedures by which it may be discovered and corrected, including state post-conviction relief, federal habeas claims, and standards for accessing DNA testing; and evaluate compensation schemes and reintegration programs for those determined to have been wrongly convicted. [3]

While there are no Pre or Corequisites, I highly recommend that you have taken or be taking one of the following: (1) Criminal Procedure: Investigation; (2) Criminal Procedure: Adjudication; or (3) Criminal Procedure: Social Science Perspectives.  Federal Courts is also advisable.