Criminal Justice 352

I. Course Title: Wrongful Convictions: The Causes, Consequences, and Responses

II. Course Number: CRJU 352

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: Juniors and seniors or permission of the instructor

V. Course Description: 

This course will utilize a case study approach to examine the causes of wrongful conviction. The course will also address questions about the consequences of wrongful conviction by looking at life after exoneration and the resources available to individuals who have been exonerated. Both criminal and civil law will be reviewed in order to understand how the justice system can either benefit those who have been wrongly convicted or continue to victimize them. Finally, the course will address individual and institutional responses to wrongful conviction. The goal of the course is to broaden the perspective of students who will potentially be in positions of power within the American justice system.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

The goal is to address the following through research, case studies, and legal cases:

1. Causes of Wrongful Convictions: Describe the range of factors that contribute to wrongful conviction, including eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, unvalidated forensic science, incentivized witnesses and jailhouse snitches, government misconduct, inadequate defense lawyering, racial bias, and tunnel vision. 
2. Application of Legal Cases: Describe the basic rules of evidence and tests developed through legal cases that determine the admissibility or reliability of evidence.
3. Post-Conviction Procedures: Describe the procedures available post-conviction to free the wrongfully convicted.
4. Consequences of Wrongful Convictions: Describe the various consequences that come as a result of innocent individuals being convicted of crimes they did not commit and reintegration into society. These may include repercussions for the individual, his/her family, society, and the criminal justice system.
5. Responses to Wrongful Convictions: Describe the proposed and adopted reforms to reduce wrongful convictions and assist the exonerated.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

A number of instructional strategies will be employed in this course to enhance student engagement.  The course may include any or all of the following basic strategies.  

1. Lecture
2. Online content and activities
3. Case studies – audio/visual and printed
4. Legal case studies/briefs 
5. Student presentations
6. Videos
7. Class discussions and small group discussions
8. Written and critical thinking assignments
9. Group activities
10. Guest speakers

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Having completed this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the factors that contribute to wrongful convictions.
2. Explain how systemic errors can contribute to the conviction of innocent individuals.
3. Describe relevant cases surrounding rules of evidence admissibility and evaluation of evidence reliability.
4. Explain the post-conviction procedures used to exonerate the wrongfully convicted.
5. Describe the consequences of wrongful conviction for the individual, his/her family, society, and the criminal justice system.
6. Describe proposed and adopted reforms aimed at reducing wrongful convictions and assisting the exonerated.
7. Apply critical thinking skills to wrongful conviction issues.
8. Apply verbal and written communication skills.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:

1. Examinations
2. Quizzes
3. Presentations
4. In-class discussion and participation
5. Written assignments
6. Evaluation of research
7. In-class application assignments
8. Online assignments
9. Group participation

Review and Approval

August 2020