▷Why Certain Prosecutors Pursue Wrongful Convictions

Lara Bazelon discusses her recent cover story for Slate, “The Innocence Deniers,” which looks at the role of prosecutors in wrongful conviction cases. While some prosecutors ask judges to dismiss cases that have proven to be faulty, Bazelon argues that “there is a class of prosecutors that might fairly be called innocence deniers.” These prosecutors will relitigate a case, sometimes filing appeals or even seeking “no contest” pleas from wrongfully convicted prisoners. These "Faustian bargains” stem from a prosecutor’s reluctance to admit they were wrong. They not only impede the pursuit of justice, but can actively prevent it.  

Lara Bazelon

Lara Bazelon is a law professor and writer. The recipient of MacDowell and Mesa Refuge residencies, her op-eds and essays have been published in the New York Times,The Atlantic Magazine, New York Magazine, Washington Post, Slate, and Politico, among other media outlets.  Her nonfiction book, AMBITIOUS LIKE A MOTHER: WHY PRIORITIZING YOUR JOB IS GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS is available for pre-order and will be published on April 19.