Empire State Injustice: Based Upon a Decade of New Information, A Preliminary Evaluation of How New York's Death Penalty System Fails to Meet Standards for Accuracy and Fairness

Authors

Sara Darehshori, Human Rights Watch
Jeffrey L. Kirchmeier, CUNY School of Law
Colleen Quinn Brady
Evan Mandery, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Abstract

The article argues that New York's death penalty system requires significant reforms to address systemic flaws, particularly the risk of wrongful convictions and arbitrary sentencing. It emphasizes the need for the legislature to reexamine and revise the capital punishment framework in light of post-1995 research and recommendations from other states, such as Illinois and Massachusetts. The analysis highlights the importance of narrowing eligibility factors, improving procedural safeguards, and ensuring judicial discretion to prevent unjust outcomes.

Disciplines

Criminal Law | Criminal Procedure | Law | Medical Jurisprudence

Recommended Citation

Sara Darehshori, Jeffrey L. Kirchmeier, Colleen Q. Brady & Evan Mandery, Empire State Injustice: Based Upon a Decade of New Information, A Preliminary Evaluation of How New York's Death Penalty System Fails to Meet Standards for Accuracy and Fairness, 4 Cardozo Pub. L. Pol’y & Ethics J. 85 (2006).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cplpej/vol4/iss1/11