589 Wrongful Convictions (Beresh)

LAW589

Wrongful Convictions

(Beresh)

APPLICATIONS NO LONGER REQUIRED. STUDENTS MAY ENROLL ONLINE.

Wrongful Convictions: Theory and Practice Course 

Instructor: Brian Beresh, KC 

The Faculty of Law is offering this unique and new course to students who are given the unique opportunity of taking part in the process of assisting those who may have been wrongfully convicted. Brian A. Beresh, KC designed this course and first offered it in the fall of 2017. He will continue to be the instructor of this course and will be responsible, with the aid of Innocence Canada, for selecting files that students will review as part of the course requirement. 

This course was offered in each semester in 2017 and 2018. Innocence Canada, who reviewed the students’ final opinion paper, was extremely impressed with the students’ commitment and work. Enrollment will be limited to fifteen (15) students. They will work in teams of 3 to review the applications by individuals who believe they were wrongfully convicted. 

This course shows great promise for future interest and increased enrollment and contribution to the Canadian criminal justice system. Interest in this course continues to escalate. 

Students will be provided with an extensive course outline/syllabus which includes references to numerous wrongful conviction commission reports, articles and cases which have considered the reasons for wrongful convictions. Students will also work with Mr. Beresh on reviewing files where individuals have been convicted but who feel that they are truly innocent. The course will consist of understanding the processes by which an existing conviction can be re-examined even after many years from the conviction, as well actually examining real cases where there could be the potential to re-open the convicted citizen’s case.

Description updated 2018-19. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.