Monday, November 5, 2012

Failed Evidence: Does Law Enforcement Resist Science? Free CLE this Thursday (11/8/12)


FAILED EVIDENCE: DOES LAW ENFORCEMENT RESIST SCIENCE?

November 8, 2012 | 4:30pm
http://www.robinainstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/Failed-Evidence-1.jpg
The panel will focus on David A. Harris’ book Failed Evidence: Why Law Enforcement Resists Science, in which he argues that law enforcement officials have failed to embrace the science that casts doubt on traditional police work, such as eyewitness identification, suspect interrogation, and forensics. He documents how law enforcement’s use of discredited forensic techniques and questionable investigative methods has contributed to miscarriages of justice, including wrongful convictions. Harris offers a number of recommendations for encouraging law enforcement to use sound scientific practices in traditional police work.
This event is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Law School, the Robina Institute, the Council on Crime and Justice, the Criminal Justice League, and the Innocence Project of Minnesota. It is free and open to the public.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Real Interrogation: What Actually Happens When Cops Question Kids?


Tuesday 10/16: “Real Interrogation: What Actually Happens When Cops Question Kids?”

  • 4pm
  • Room 25, with Room 30 as an overflow space with the lecture live streamed in
  • Reception following the lecture in Auerbach
  • Free and open to the public


Professor Barry Feld is giving his Centennial Professorship in Law Reappointment Lecture on the subject that has captivated his research efforts recently: police interrogation of juveniles.  Professor Feld has scoured interrogation records and videos to piece together trends in these interrogations, and has been compiling his research into a book.  Hear his research results as he shares them for the first time next Tuesday.


Thursday, 10/18: CJL Discussion Group
  •  6pm-7pm
  • Bullwinkles, upstairs (Bullwinkles is on the Northeast corner of the 7 corners intersection, a couple minutes from the school.  http://bullwinklesaloon.com/

·         Topic: Interrogation
This week’s discussion group will continue the discussion of interrogation.  You do not need to make it to Tuesday’s presentation to attend.  We can talk about interrogation of adults as well as juveniles – what cops do, what they should and should not do, how far we would be willing to let an interrogation go if lives are at stake, what protections and remedies are available, etc.  Any and all additions to the discussion are good – I will try to bring some video clips of interrogations, please feel free to introduce whatever you would like as well!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

"Children Are Different" Oct. 4 Symposium on Juvenile Sentencing


The University of Minnesota’s Journal of Law & Inequality invites you to attend their 2012 Symposium, this October 4:

“Children are Different”: Culpability and the Mandatory Sentencing of Juveniles after Miller v. Alabama & Jackson v. Hobbs

The symposium brings together many leading scholars in the field of juvenile justice to analyze the practice of juvenile justice, especially in regards to sentencing, after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision this summer outlawing mandatory life without parole for all persons younger than 18 years old.  Topics include:
  • The Miller v. Alabama and Jackson v. Hobbs cases
  • The practical implications the Supreme Court's ruling will have on practitioners in both juvenile prosecution and juvenile defense
  • The neuroscience of child development underlying the Court's decision in Miller & Jackson
  • Race trends and the effects of juvenile sentencing in disparity in the juvenile justice system
  • Proposed policies for the future of juvenile sentencing
Find out more and register at http://www.law.umn.edu/lawineq/symposiummain.html - registration is also available with cash or check the day of the event.  This event is free for all students and university faculty and staff.

This event has been approved for 4 General CLE Credits and 1 Elimination of Bias Credit.