University
of Miami School of Law
Wrongful Convictions Project
Current Events :
Responsibility
for wrongful convictions begins with the People
The University of Miami Wrongful Convictions
Project sponsors Janet Reno and several exonerated prisoners
to discuss what the State’s Attorney can do to avoid
wrongful convictions and life after exoneration.
Coral Gables, FL (October 24, 2003)-Former
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, currently an adjunct professor
at the University of Miami School of Law, will be giving a
presentation on Wednesday, October 29th which will give procedures
to avoid wrongful convictions. Reno, along with three recently
exonerated prisoners will be speaking at the University of
Miami in room 352 of the Law School from 12:30-3:30. A question
and answer session will follow the presentation.
During her time as U.S. Attorney General,
Reno worked with the Department of Justice to study the problem
of wrongful convictions in the U.S. These studies included
the importance of using DNA as a forensic tool and key procedures
for the police and prosecution to follow to avoid false eye
witness identifications.
Florida has one of the highest rates for wrongful
convictions in the nation. Since 1973, over 24 Florida death
row prisoners have been exonerated through the use of DNA
and other scientific practices not available at the time they
were convicted. But lack of DNA is not the only reason for
wrongful convictions, false confidence in eye witness identification,
improper police procedures and ineffective counsel can all
add to a wrongful conviction. Reno will present to University
of Miami School of Law (UM Law) students and the public the
same presentation, “how to prevent wrongful convictions”
she gave recently at the State’s Attorney’s office.
Reno will be followed by several recently exonerated prisoners
who will share their stories of arrest, conviction, imprisonment
and exoneration. These prisoners will share their real stories
of what can go wrong when the system is used to get a conviction
rather than to achieve truth and justice.
About the University of Miami Wrongful
Convictions Project
The UM wrongful convictions project was begun in 2003 and
is dedicated to identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions
and other serious miscarriages of justice. The Project has
three components: representation, research and public education.
Project faculty, staff, cooperating outside attorneys, and
University of Miami Law students investigate possible wrongful
convictions and represent imprisoned clients with claims of
actual innocence.
For more information on the wrongful convictions
project or to send a case to the University of Miami for evaluation
go to www.wrongfulconvictions.com
View past events - 01 - 02 - 03
