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November 04, 2024

Fighting for Justice: The Path to Exoneration

“Mere access to the courthouse doors does not by itself assure a proper functioning of the adversary process.” — Thurgood Marshall.

Many people behind bars are innocent. It is estimated that there are at least 20,000 who have been wrongfully convicted. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, more than 3,400 people have been exonerated of crimes they did not commit. Those wrongfully convicted people spent more than 31,000 years in prison. These numbers are absolutely shocking and should not be tolerated.

This panel discusses the horrors of mass incarceration and the imperative need for prosecutorial oversight by way of Conviction Integrity Units and other measures.

Every human being deserves to be afforded with their most basic right – the right to be treated equally under the law. Join us to learn how you can support justice for all.

The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for watching.

Speakers

  • Troy Burner — Associate, Justice Policy Institute; Policy Fellow, The Daniel Initiative; criminal justice reform consultant; community-mediation trained mediator; restorative justice practitioner

  • Lt. Travis Hooker — Senior Partner, CDO Executives LLC; Lieutenant, City of Elgin, IL; Vice Chair, ABA CRSJ Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee

  • Bhavan Sodhi — Chief Program Officer, Innocence Project

Moderator

  • Melanie E. Bates — Principal, Melanie Bates Consulting, LLC; Special Counsel, ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice

Resources

About the Moderator Melanie E. Bates

Mr. Troy Burner's Story

Burner's Bar and Grill

Office of the Illinois Attorney General Conviction Integrity Unit

Innocence Project

The unconscionable execution of Marcellus Williams is a call for more Black lawyers | By Melanie E. Bates

Code of the District of Columbia § 24–403.03. Modification of an imposed term of imprisonment for violations of law committed before 25 years of age.

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