Wrongfully convicted : guilty pleas, imagined crimes, and what Canada must do to safeguard justice / Kent Roach.
"A top legal scholar explains Canada's national tragedy of wrongful convictions, how anyone could be caught up in them, and what we can do to safeguard justice. Canada's legal system has a serious problem: a significant number of people are in prison for crimes they didn't commit. There are famous cases of wrongful convictions, such as David Milgaard, Guy Paul Morin, and Donald Marshall Jr., who were all innocent of the murders for which they were found guilty. But there are lesser-known cases that illustrate just how widespread our issues are, and how they put everyone at risk. Kent Roach, law professor, government advisor, and award-winning author, has dedicated his illustrious career to documenting this phenomenon. His work reveals that, yes, some people are found guilty of crimes they didn't commit. But also there are two other kinds of wrongful convictions: people who feel they have no option but to plead guilty, and people convicted of crimes that were imagined by experts or the police that never, in fact, happened. Wrongfully Convicted raises awareness of these issues and makes a compelling case that injustices cannot be solved by DNA exonerations alone. The problems run deeper. But there are solutions, including the creation of a permanent federal commission to evaluate and address wrongful convictions. Kent Roach's research and vast knowledge point to systemic failings in our legal system. But he also outlines changes we can make to ensure a more fair and equitable society. Until we do, many of the wrongfully convicted are still waiting for the promise of justice. It is an issue that affects all Canadians."-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781668023662 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: xxxvii, 359 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
- Edition: Simon & Schuster Canada edition.
- Publisher: Toronto, ON : Simon & Schuster, 2023.
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | False imprisonment > Canada. Judicial error > Canada. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stroud Branch | 347.71012 Roa | 31681010318368 | NONFIC | Available | - |
- Simon and Schuster
A top legal scholar explains Canadaâs national tragedy of wrongful convictions, how anyone could be caught up in them, and what we can do to safeguard justice.
Canadaâs legal system has a serious problem: a significant but unknown number of people have been convicted for crimes they didnât commit. There are famous cases of wrongful convictions, such as David Milgaard and Donald Marshall Jr., where the system convicted the wrong person for murder. But there are lesser-known cases: people who feel they have no option but to plead guilty, and people convicted of crimes that were imagined by experts or the police that never, in fact, happened.
Kent Roach, cofounder of the Canadian Registry of Wrongful Convictions, award-winning author, and law professor, has dedicated his illustrious career to documenting flaws in our justice system. His work reveals that the burden of wrongful convictions falls disproportionately on the disadvantaged, including Indigenous and racialized people, those with cognitive issues, single mothers, and the poor.
Wrongfully Convicted raises awareness about wrongful convictions at a time when DNA exonerations are less frequent and the memories of most famous wrongful convictions are fading. Roach makes a compelling case for change that governments have so far lacked the courage to make. They include better legislative regulation of police and forensic experts and the creation of a permanent and independent federal commission both to investigate wrongful convictions and their multiple causes.
Roachâs research and vast knowledge point to systemic failings in our legal system. But he also outlines vital changes that can better prevent and correct wrongful convictions. Until we do, many of the wrongfully convicted are still waiting for the promise of justice. It is an issue that affects all Canadians.