Prosecutorial Misconduct

All too often, prosecutors' offices fall prey to a culture of conviction-seeking at all costs. Prosecutors who become singularly focused on conviction rates neglect their duty to protect the innocent.

Despite the great power of prosecutors, few are held accountable for violations of their ethical obligations.

Two new exonerations reveal the very real threat of false testimony, and the strong need for corroborating evidence to ensure that credible testimony is presented to juries in criminal trials.

Because of selective information processing, beliefs in a defendant's guilt are naturally sticky. Cognitive science suggests prosecutors might unintentionally distort their analysis of new evidence.

As the Willingham case demonstrates, there's a certain kind of behavioral reaction by people who work in courts -- prosecutors especially -- that defends the system over all contrary evidence.

Wrongful convictions occur due to a system that is prone to error. In addition to incarcerating a person for a crime they didn't commit, wrongful convictions impose a financial burden on taxpayers.

Why are Holder and Obama not firing and replacing Bush appointees in the Department of Justice? America deserves the attorneys they voted for as part of the package in electing Obama.

Prosecutors are the most powerful actors in our criminal justice system. Failure to respond to abuses of power is an enormous threat to public safety and to the integrity of our criminal justice system.

This new evidence of misconduct should compel Attorney General Holder to review Minor's case and immediately release him from prison.

Prosecutors have power. They have been given that power in part to effectively ensure public safety. Yet, everyday in courtrooms across the country, prosecutors are abusing their powers.

Eric Holder should be applauded for sending the right message to all prosecutors that abuses of power will not be tolerated.

Tim Masters was fifteen years old at the time of his alleged crime, and was not convicted until 12 years later. He languished in prison for almost ten years, and spent half his life trying to prove his innocence.