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Article
Lessons From Inquisitorialism
Southern California Law Review
  • Christopher Slobogin
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Keywords
  • wrongful convictions,
  • adjudication process,
  • criminal justice
Disciplines
Abstract

The adversarial system as it is implemented in the United States is a significant cause of wrongful convictions, wrongful acquittals and wrongful sentences. Empirical evidence suggests that a hybrid inquisitorial regime would be better than the American-style adversarial system at reducing these erroneous results. This paper proposes the integration of three inquisitorial mechanisms into the American trial process, judicial control over the adjudication process, non-adversarial treatment of experts, and required unsworn testimony by the defendant and defends the proposals against constitutional and practical challenges. While other scholars have suggested borrowing from overseas, these three proposals have yet to be presented as a package. Together they could measurably enhance the accuracy of the American criminal justice system.

Citation Information
Christopher Slobogin. "Lessons From Inquisitorialism" Southern California Law Review Vol. 87 (2014) p. 699 ISSN: 0038-3910
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/christopher-slobogin/70/