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Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right
Actual Innocence When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right
Author: Jim Dwyer, Peter Neufeld, Barry Scheck
This "heartbreaking and in-furiating"* compendium of lives ruined by miscarriages of justice has generated a storm of media attention, public outrage, and a nationwide debate on the criminal justice system.
ISBN-13: 9780451203656
ISBN-10: 0451203658
Publication Date: 3/1/2001
Pages: 403
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 12

3.8 stars, based on 12 ratings
Publisher: Signet Book
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 80 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This is a 350-page book before the appendices. It ends with "A Short List of Reforms to Protect the Innocent," "DNA Exonerations at a Glance," long lists of sources and acknowledgments, and an index. In other words, this is not your typical true-crime book; rather, the authors--two lawyers and a journalist--examine the DNA exonerations of dozens of men who spent time in prison for crimes they did not commit. Their stories and the authors comments on their cases lead to some disturbing conclusions about our criminal justice system. Every supporter of the death penalty should read this book.
reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Is there anything more frightening then the conviction of an innocent person? It can happen to anyone and this book shows the ineptitude of our legal system and the frequency with which false convictions occur.This book, comprised of a myriad of criminal cases, is one of the most compelling and fast-paced books you will ever read. If it you don't find yourself with a renewed sense of conviction regarding justice and truth in the legal system, then you might consider checking for a pulse.Given the recent advances in pathology, forensics and DNA, "Actual Innocence" should be required reading. Clear and concise, this book will appeal to everyone from housewife to lawyer alike. Truly one of the most important works written in recent years.
reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a chilling look at our judicial system and the appalling miscarriages of justice possible. Publishers Weekly calls it "an alarming wake-up call." It's horrifying to realize how easily one could be walking in some of these people's shoes.
reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Real life stories of people who were convicted of crimes, served time, then later were proven innocent by DNA testing. Written by the lawyers of The Innocence Project", this is a very informative and troubling book.
murder101 avatar reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on
Helpful Score: 2
This is a scary book that really shows that innocent people can be convited,makes you wonder if by some twist of fate you could be in these people shoes.
Read All 10 Book Reviews of "Actual Innocence When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right"

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reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 144 more book reviews
Finished this book a couple weeks back. I'm an attorney although I haven't done criminal defense. But, I know that many prisoners have been exonerated by DNA, some after 20 years in prison. I found the stories compelling. I think there were a few places where I found my attention wandering (I should have done the review right after finishing it so I could be more succinct) which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of five.
reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 4 more book reviews
This book is very informative about our broken legal system. Too many people go to jail due to DA's hiding information, eagerness of police to find a culprit, lawyers that are incompetent. Enough to join the cause to help the legal system fix itself.
Sidney R
reviewed Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make It Right on + 404 more book reviews
Now updated with new material
By the founders of The Innocence Project.
A compelling book.


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