A Comparative Analysis of Wrongful Convictions in the United States and Canada

• In Event: Cross-National Comparisons of Justice

Abstract

The devastating consequences of wrongful convictions are not restricted to the United States. A cross-national comparison of the factors believed to contribute to wrongful convictions, as well as the process by which potential wrongful convictions are investigated, is warranted to develop a more complete understanding of the phenomenon. The cultural and legal similarities between the United States and Canada make for a meaningful comparative analysis of how wrongful convictions are managed in two different systems. This project will assess the similarities and differences in the American and Canadian criminal justice systems as they relate to wrongful convictions, including police and prosecutorial practices, the appellate process, and methods of compensation awarded to exonerees.

Author

• Shannon Cunningham, Monmouth University