The Justice Brandeis Law Project uses investigative journalism methods to examine possible miscarriages of criminal justice, including likely wrongful convictions, official misbehavior and misuse of government power.

 

Unlike many innocence projects, the JBLP takes on especially difficult cases in which exoneration does not hinge primarily on DNA evidence. Experienced reporters are supported by volunteers and an enthusiastic, smart and dedicated team of Brandeis undergraduate students in reviewing documents, finding and interviewing witnesses, and working across language barriers.

 

On this microsite, learn about Angel Echavarria's wrongful conviction and subsequent exoneration. Using his case study as a lens, explore witness misidentification, a factor in many innocence cases, and inadequate legal defense. Both were contributing factors in Echavarria's wrongful conviction. We also delve into incarceration costs to taxpayers and exonerees.