Complementary Course: Legal Clinic On Wrongful Convictions (Italy Innocence Project)

The main purpose of the activity is the acquisition of a specific knowledge, also from a practical angle, on the wrongful convictions theme. In particular, through the analysis of real cases, both from Italy and the United States, students are put in the condition to investigate: a) the factors that can lead to miscarriages of justice; b) the institutes provided by the Italian judicial system in order to remedy the conviction of an innocent. The activity is characterized by a strong comparative perspective, and it is carried out within the Italy Innocence Project, coordinated by prof. Luca Luparia and part of the Innocence Network of New York.

Through the course, the student will be able to identify the main risk factors that, during a criminal proceeding, are able to lead to a wrongful conviction. The student will also acquire the capacity to evaluate the possible practical applications of the main legal institutes foreseen by the national legal system, proposing possible solutions aimed at reducing possible distortions of these legal institutes.