The plight of the wrongfully convicted takes center stage at the University of Miami
WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS PROJECT
CONTACTS:
Hilary Berg
University of Miami Wrongful Convictions Project
305-510-5721
Jessica Gabel
University of Miami Wrongful Convictions Project
305-467-5836
The plight of the wrongfully convicted takes center stage at the University of Miami
The University of Miami Wrongful Convictions Project sponsors Janet Reno and other panelists to discuss the effect of wrongful convictions in Florida
Coral Gables, FL (February 27, 2003) - Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will visit the University of Miami School of Law on Thursday, March sixth to discuss reasons and remedies for wrongful convictions in Florida. Reno, along with a panel of leading scholars and attorneys, including Dade County's head public defender Bennett Brummer, will be speaking at the University of Miami in room 352 of the Law School from 12:30-2:00. Panelists will discuss their views on wrongful convictions, a question and answer session will follow.
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 scientific practices not available at the time they were convicted. Reno and Brummer, with the other panelists, will discuss the implications of Floridaís conviction statistics, recent cases of the innocent in Florida, and the affect of new legislation that caps post-conviction DNA testing at two years. Additionally, panelists will share views on Governor Bushís proposal to eliminate the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel.
The plight of the wrongfully convicted is a priority for the faculty and students at the University of Miami School of Law (UM Law). Fall 2002 saw the offering of the first course covering wrongful convictions in the UM law curriculum. Additionally, a group of students began the University of Miami Wrongful Convictions Project with the goal of working with lawyers in the Miami area to facilitate the appeals process for the wrongfully convicted. This project is based on similar projects at law schools throughout the nation that have worked successfully to exonerate wrongfully convicted prisoners.
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. # # #
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