Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
@wilsoncsj.bsky.social
A Duke Law interdisciplinary center working to advance criminal justice and equity through law and science
Recently we were pleased to host David McAtee (A.B. '91) here at the Wilson Center! His generous gift earlier this year established our McAtee JustScience Lab, and he got to meet with several of our students to hear about the great work they're doing to make real change in the criminal legal system.
October 22, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Recently we were pleased to host David McAtee (A.B. '91) here at the Wilson Center! His generous gift earlier this year established our McAtee JustScience Lab, and he got to meet with several of our students to hear about the great work they're doing to make real change in the criminal legal system.
Happy Constitution Day! Today commemorates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In honor of today, watch our faculty director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social discussing how the Constitution protects due process. youtube.com/shorts/VKKkD...
Legal Brief | Due Process
What is due process?
In this week’s episode of Legal Brief, Professor Brandon Garrett explains how the Constitution protects due process and why it’s fundamental to a fair justice system.
youtube.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Happy Constitution Day! Today commemorates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In honor of today, watch our faculty director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social discussing how the Constitution protects due process. youtube.com/shorts/VKKkD...
Cashless bail has been in the news lately, but how does it work and what impact has it had on crime and detention rates? Check out this interview with Sandra Guerra Thompson, Deputy Monitor with @brandonlgarrett.bsky.app in the ODonnell v. Harris County Consent Decree. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Trump criticizes cashless bail. What is it and, what's the debate about it?
On Monday, President Trump criticized Democrats who support cashless bail as being too soft on crime.
www.wbur.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Cashless bail has been in the news lately, but how does it work and what impact has it had on crime and detention rates? Check out this interview with Sandra Guerra Thompson, Deputy Monitor with @brandonlgarrett.bsky.app in the ODonnell v. Harris County Consent Decree. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
This week, President Trump signed an executive order directing the AG to submit a list of jurisdictions with cashless bail policies & instructs the Administration to identify Federal funds provided to cashless bail jurisdictions that may be suspended or terminated.
www.nytimes.com/article/cash...
www.nytimes.com/article/cash...
What to Know About How Bail Works in the U.S.
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order calling for tougher rules on bail. Conservatives argue that policies limiting the practice have contributed to increased lawlessness, but the data…
www.nytimes.com
August 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
This week, President Trump signed an executive order directing the AG to submit a list of jurisdictions with cashless bail policies & instructs the Administration to identify Federal funds provided to cashless bail jurisdictions that may be suspended or terminated.
www.nytimes.com/article/cash...
www.nytimes.com/article/cash...
"What we found is providing those due process protections actually help them and reduce crime. Fewer people in jail and less crime -- both good things happened. It was not zero sum at all." Check out @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social chatting with @profmmurray.bsky.social on @strictscrutiny.bsky.social!
NEW: Imani Gandy @angryblacklady.bsky.social joins Melissa to talk legal news.
Then Brandon Garrett @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social on his book DEFENDING DUE PROCESS
And Richard Primus @richardprimus.bsky.social joins Leah to talk his book OLDEST CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION crooked.com/podcast/how-...
Then Brandon Garrett @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social on his book DEFENDING DUE PROCESS
And Richard Primus @richardprimus.bsky.social joins Leah to talk his book OLDEST CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION crooked.com/podcast/how-...
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Alt: a woman in a striped shirt is talking into a microphone with the name sam on her neck
media.tenor.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
"What we found is providing those due process protections actually help them and reduce crime. Fewer people in jail and less crime -- both good things happened. It was not zero sum at all." Check out @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social chatting with @profmmurray.bsky.social on @strictscrutiny.bsky.social!
📊 Out Now! Wilson Center launches new driver’s license suspension dashboard. This new tool allows researchers, policy makers, and community members to dive deep into court dept and driver's license suspensions across North Carolina. Learn more at wcsj.law.duke.edu/news/wilson-...
Wilson Center Launches New Public Dashboard
Illuminating Court Debt and Driver’s License Suspensions Across North Carolina
wcsj.law.duke.edu
July 31, 2025 at 7:13 PM
📊 Out Now! Wilson Center launches new driver’s license suspension dashboard. This new tool allows researchers, policy makers, and community members to dive deep into court dept and driver's license suspensions across North Carolina. Learn more at wcsj.law.duke.edu/news/wilson-...
The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law has received a generous gift from Duke University alumnus David McAtee (A.B. ‘91) to establish the McAtee JustScience Lab, a visionary initiative at the Center. Learn more at wcsj.law.duke.edu/news/gift-fr...
July 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law has received a generous gift from Duke University alumnus David McAtee (A.B. ‘91) to establish the McAtee JustScience Lab, a visionary initiative at the Center. Learn more at wcsj.law.duke.edu/news/gift-fr...
"By...granting clemency, governors would recognize & value the potential for redemption in the American prison system...Each grant of clemency could motivate other prisoners to take responsibility for their actions & to make redoubled efforts to grow & become better." www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/o...
Opinion | Governors, Use Your Clemency Powers
President Trump is abusing his clemency power, but most American governors are underutilizing their powers of commutation and pardon.
www.nytimes.com
July 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM
"By...granting clemency, governors would recognize & value the potential for redemption in the American prison system...Each grant of clemency could motivate other prisoners to take responsibility for their actions & to make redoubled efforts to grow & become better." www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/o...
In our latest report: misdemeanor cash bail elimination associated with improved public safety. We examined how changes since the implementation of new bail policies as a result of the ODonnell v. Harris County Settlement have affected the community. Learn more: wcsj.law.duke.edu/news/ending-...
Ending Cash Bail for Most Misdemeanors Is Associated with Improved Public Safety
wcsj.law.duke.edu
July 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
In our latest report: misdemeanor cash bail elimination associated with improved public safety. We examined how changes since the implementation of new bail policies as a result of the ODonnell v. Harris County Settlement have affected the community. Learn more: wcsj.law.duke.edu/news/ending-...
Out this week! A special edition of Law and Human Behavior’s on Justice, Legitimacy, and Technology. This edition was guest co-edited by our Faculty Director @brandonlgarrett.bsy.social along with David DeMatteo and Christopher King.
Check out the issue: psycnet.apa.org/PsycARTICLES...
Check out the issue: psycnet.apa.org/PsycARTICLES...
June 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Out this week! A special edition of Law and Human Behavior’s on Justice, Legitimacy, and Technology. This edition was guest co-edited by our Faculty Director @brandonlgarrett.bsy.social along with David DeMatteo and Christopher King.
Check out the issue: psycnet.apa.org/PsycARTICLES...
Check out the issue: psycnet.apa.org/PsycARTICLES...
Why does forensics reform matter? Professor Maneka Sinha, Professor of Law at @umaryland.edu Law School where she leads the Forensic Defense Clinic walks us through it.
Learn more and access the full toolkit at forensicsreform.com.
Learn more and access the full toolkit at forensicsreform.com.
June 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Why does forensics reform matter? Professor Maneka Sinha, Professor of Law at @umaryland.edu Law School where she leads the Forensic Defense Clinic walks us through it.
Learn more and access the full toolkit at forensicsreform.com.
Learn more and access the full toolkit at forensicsreform.com.
Have you checked out our Forensics Reform Toolkit? @brandonlgarrett@bsky.social talks us through how to use it. Learn more and access the full toolkit at forensicsreform.com.
June 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Have you checked out our Forensics Reform Toolkit? @brandonlgarrett@bsky.social talks us through how to use it. Learn more and access the full toolkit at forensicsreform.com.
From our faculty director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social!
A discussion of @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social's "Defending Due Process" was held @pjudicialchile.bsky.social on Tuesday, May 14th.
If you missed out on it, you can take a look at how it went and browse some fantastic photos here:
www.pjud.cl/prensa-y-com...
If you missed out on it, you can take a look at how it went and browse some fantastic photos here:
www.pjud.cl/prensa-y-com...
Exitoso Conversatorio “Valor del Debido Proceso” reunió a destacados expertos nacionales e internacionales
Con gran convocatoria se desarrolló el conversatorio “Valor del Debido Proceso”. La actividad tuvo lugar el martes 14 de mayo y reunió a autoridades judiciales, académicos y profesionales del derecho,...
www.pjud.cl
May 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
From our faculty director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social!
Reposted by Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
My latest for @theappeal.org:
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
“They took my life away for nothing.”
James Carver spent 36 years in prison for allegedly setting one of the deadliest fires in Massachusetts history.
theappeal.org
May 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My latest for @theappeal.org:
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
"[Habeas corpus] has played a crucial role in many emergencies and wars during our history. And courts have consistently emphasized that habeas provides its strongest protections when the executive seeks to detain people without a trial." - @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social. time.com/7284743/what...
What Is Habeas Corpus and How Is It Under Threat?
Stephen Miller said the Trump Administration is “actively looking at” the option of suspending habeas corpus.
time.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"[Habeas corpus] has played a crucial role in many emergencies and wars during our history. And courts have consistently emphasized that habeas provides its strongest protections when the executive seeks to detain people without a trial." - @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social. time.com/7284743/what...
Reposted by Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
It was such a pleasure and honor to discuss my new book, Defending Due Process, with Jim Coleman, @dukelaw.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/AHM4JiY...
www.youtube.com/live/AHM4JiY...
Faculty Author Celebration | Brandon Garrett, Defending Due Process
YouTube video by Duke University School of Law
www.youtube.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
It was such a pleasure and honor to discuss my new book, Defending Due Process, with Jim Coleman, @dukelaw.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/AHM4JiY...
www.youtube.com/live/AHM4JiY...
"These are [prosecutors'] errors, after all...No one says, ‘Oh, wow, they’re really going the extra mile at Boeing when they’re trying to figure out why planes crashed.’ No, this is actually their job.” -@brandonlgarrett.bsky.social today in @injusticewatch.org on prosecutor accountability.
Cook County’s conviction integrity unit has been celebrated for exonerating more people than any comparable unit nationwide. But an Injustice Watch investigation found 21 people who were denied relief by the group before flawed evidence later led to their exonerations.
Cook County’s conviction integrity unit repeatedly denied freedom to prisoners who were later cleared
Still in prison after 18 years despite the flimsy evidence of his guilt, Kevin Jackson tore open the letter from the Cook County conviction integrity unit
buff.ly
February 27, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"These are [prosecutors'] errors, after all...No one says, ‘Oh, wow, they’re really going the extra mile at Boeing when they’re trying to figure out why planes crashed.’ No, this is actually their job.” -@brandonlgarrett.bsky.social today in @injusticewatch.org on prosecutor accountability.
"When an an AI system links a person's face to a still from surveillance video, recommends whether to detain a person in jail, or responds with 'situational awareness' to a national security threat, what assurance is there that this system can be trusted?" - @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
"When an an AI system links a person's face to a still from surveillance video, recommends whether to detain a person in jail, or responds with 'situational awareness' to a national security threat, what assurance is there that this system can be trusted?" - @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social
Reposted by Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
This week, our faculty director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social is over at @volokhc.bsky.social talking his new book Defending Due Process. Follow along over at @reason.com.
February 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This week, our faculty director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social is over at @volokhc.bsky.social talking his new book Defending Due Process. Follow along over at @reason.com.
"This new law would expand mandatory detention to people simply arrested for or charged with such crimes, regardless of whether they actually committed them...[raising]serious due process issues." -@brandonlgarrett.bsky.social, Kate Evans, & Elana Fogel today in The Hill: thehill.com/opinion/cong...
Protect your constitutional rights: Don’t fall for the Laken Riley Act’s security theater
The due process clauses of the Constitution are written in general terms: they apply to all people, in the land of the free.
thehill.com
January 16, 2025 at 9:26 PM
"This new law would expand mandatory detention to people simply arrested for or charged with such crimes, regardless of whether they actually committed them...[raising]serious due process issues." -@brandonlgarrett.bsky.social, Kate Evans, & Elana Fogel today in The Hill: thehill.com/opinion/cong...
Reposted by Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
On defending due process & the Laken Riley Act, with Kate Evans and Elana Fogel
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
Protect your constitutional rights: Don’t fall for the Laken Riley Act’s security theater
The due process clauses of the Constitution are written in general terms: they apply to all people, in the land of the free.
thehill.com
January 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
On defending due process & the Laken Riley Act, with Kate Evans and Elana Fogel
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
"Common ground on due process matters now more than ever, to mend political polarization, to cool simmering distrust of government, and to safeguard our constitutional rights." — Faculty Director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social. Learn more about his upcoming book at the link!
A short piece about my book, coming out in two weeks - www.politybooks.com/blog-detail/...
www.politybooks.com
January 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"Common ground on due process matters now more than ever, to mend political polarization, to cool simmering distrust of government, and to safeguard our constitutional rights." — Faculty Director @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social. Learn more about his upcoming book at the link!
"15 people had their death sentences commuted. That was a historic act...historic, but incremental. And so the question is, what will the years to come bring for the death penalty in North Carolina?" — @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social. Listen to the full interview: ncnewsline.com/2025/01/13/d...
Duke University Prof. Brandon Garrett on recent commutations and the future of the death penalty • NC Newsline
Duke University Law School professor Brandon Garrett on why recent commutations for state and federal death row inmates should signal the end of the death penalty in North Carolina…
ncnewsline.com
January 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"15 people had their death sentences commuted. That was a historic act...historic, but incremental. And so the question is, what will the years to come bring for the death penalty in North Carolina?" — @brandonlgarrett.bsky.social. Listen to the full interview: ncnewsline.com/2025/01/13/d...
New article out now from Bolts by Phillip Vance Smith II, and featuring an interview from our Executive Director Yvette Garcia Missri. North Carolina has expanded medical release by statute, but are incarcerated people able to access this provision?
“One doctor said I got two-to-four years left to live. Another give me three-to-five. They don’t really know. But one thing’s for sure: If I don’t get out, cancer’ll kill me in prison.” boltsmag.org/north-c...
Terminally Ill People Languish in North Carolina Prisons, Even After Reforms
State lawmakers expanded the law for people seeking medical release from prison, but eligibility remains limited.
boltsmag.org
January 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
New article out now from Bolts by Phillip Vance Smith II, and featuring an interview from our Executive Director Yvette Garcia Missri. North Carolina has expanded medical release by statute, but are incarcerated people able to access this provision?