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Untitled design (5).pdfWelcome to RFK Legal Sources
Welcome to RFK Legal Sources
As RFK students learning about the law, navigating legal research can be challenging, but there are numerous free resources available to help you get started. Platforms like Google Scholar and JSTOR provide access to a wealth of academic articles and legal documents, while the Legal Information Institute (LII) at Cornell Law School offers easy-to-understand explanations of legal concepts and access to important legal texts. Additionally, resources such as the Innocence Project and the National Institute of Justice provide detailed information on specific legal issues like wrongful convictions. These tools empower students to conduct thorough and informed research, fostering a deeper understanding of the legal system and its complexities.
U.S. Supreme Court Cases
JUSTIA US Law
JUSTIA US Law
The law belongs to all of us, and Justia is proud to offer free access to federal and state court decisions, codes, and regulations. We also provide the full text of the Annotated US Constitution, as well as recent dockets and selected case filings from the US federal district and appellate courts.
Oyez.org
Oyez.org
Cornell’s LII is the oldest and largest free law site on the internet. Founded in 1992, the LII was the first website to feature Supreme Court opinions. Oyez.org is listed by the Supreme Court as an authentic, although unofficial, online source to access the court's information.
Links to Legal Databases
DOAJ is a unique and extensive index of diverse open access journals from around the world, driven by a growing community, and is DOAJ is a unique and extensive index of diverse open access journals from around the world, driven by a growing community, and is committed to ensuring quality content is freely available online for everyone. DOAJ is committed to keeping its services free of charge, including being indexed, and its data freely available.
The NIJ has a comprehensive report reviewing 100 years of scholarship on wrongful convictions, from early case studies to recent scientific analyses4.
Copy of Library Logo.pdfThe National Archives provides access to a wealth of primary source documents, including historical records, government documents, and photographs. It’s a great resource for history and social studies research
The Innocence Project offers a wealth of research resources, including educational videos and case studies that highlight how human factors like eyewitness memory can lead to wrongful convictions
Here are some colleges and universities that provide valuable resources and information on wrongful convictions:
Here are some colleges and universities that provide valuable resources and information on wrongful convictions:
University of Michigan Law School
The National Registry of Exonerations, hosted by the University of Michigan Law School, provides detailed information about every known exoneration in the United States since 1989. This resource includes case summaries, statistical analyses, and research reports.
The Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University is dedicated to identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions. They offer extensive resources, including case studies, legal research, and advocacy tools
The Los Angeles Innocence Project at California State University provides legal assistance to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted. They also conduct research and offer educational resources on wrongful convictions.
The University of Arizona Innocence Project offers free legal assistance to individuals convicted of crimes they did not commit. They also provide educational resources and conduct research on wrongful convictions.
Harvard Law School offers courses and resources on wrongful convictions, exploring the latest research and advocacy strategies to prevent and address these injustices.
The Justice Project by Michael Betcherman:
The Justice Project follows Matt Barnes, a former high school football star whose life takes a drastic turn after a debilitating accident. Struggling with his new reality, Matt finds unexpected purpose through an internship at the Justice Project, an organization dedicated to exonerating the wrongly convicted. Partnered with his high school rival, Sonya Livingstone, Matt dives into the case of Ray Richardson, who has been imprisoned for over two decades for a crime he may not have committed. As they uncover new evidence and navigate the complexities of the justice system, Matt learns valuable lessons about resilience, justice, and self-discovery.
The Trials of the Scottsboro Boys: Lies, Prejudice, and the Fourteenth Amendment
Larry Dane Brimner
This chilling and harrowing account tells the story of the Scottsboro Boys, nine African-American teenagers who, when riding the rails during the Great Depression, found their lives destroyed after two white women falsely accused them of rape. Award-winning author Larry Dane Brimner explains how it took more than eighty years for their wrongful convictions to be overturned.
Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia Chaudry
Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia Chaudry
This book explores the case of Adnan Syed, who was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999. Written by Rabia Chaudry, a family friend and advocate, it delves into the flaws in the investigation and trial, presents new evidence, and discusses the impact of the “Serial” podcast, which brought widespread attention to Syed’s case. The book is a detailed account of the ongoing fight for justice and Syed’s quest to prove his innocence.
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
This is a powerful memoir that recounts Hinton’s harrowing experience of being wrongfully convicted of murder and spending nearly 30 years on death row in Alabama. Here are some key points about the book:
Example Assignment for research
Tips on Wrongful Conviction
1. Define Your Research Question
Start by narrowing down your topic. What specific aspect of wrongful convictions are you interested in? For example, you might focus on the role of DNA evidence, eyewitness misidentification, or legal reforms.
2. Gather Background Information
Use general resources to get an overview of the topic:
Textbooks and Encyclopedias: These can provide a solid foundation.
Online Resources: Websites like the Innocence Project offer case studies and educational materials.
3. Use Academic Databases
Access free academic databases to find scholarly articles:
Google Scholar: Search for peer-reviewed articles and theses.
JSTOR: Register for free access to a limited number of articles each month.
EBSCO Free Databases: Explore databases like GreenFILE and LISTA.
4. Explore Government and Legal Resources
National Archives: Look for historical records and government documents.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ): Review reports and research on wrongful convictions.
5. Analyze Case Studies
Innocence Project: Study real-life cases of exoneration to understand the factors leading to wrongful convictions.
University Publications: Read detailed analyses from universities like the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).
6. Take Notes and Organize Information
Note-Taking: Keep detailed notes of your findings, including citations.
Organize: Use tools like digital folders or note-taking apps to keep your research organized.
7. Evaluate Sources
Credibility: Ensure your sources are credible and reliable.
Bias: Be aware of any potential bias in your sources.
8. Write Your Paper
Outline: Create an outline to organize your thoughts.
Draft: Write a first draft, focusing on clarity and coherence.
Cite Sources: Properly cite all your sources to avoid plagiarism.
9. Review and Revise
Proofread: Check for grammar and spelling errors.
Revise: Make necessary revisions to improve the quality of your paper.
10. Seek Feedback
Teachers and Peers: Ask for feedback from your teachers and classmates to refine your paper.
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