Tomorrow in NY: Exonerees and experts call for recording of interrogations

False confessions and admissions are a major cause of wrongful conviction, and both study and practice have shown us again and again that there’s a way to stop this injustice. Electronic recording of interrogations prevents false confessions and also helps law enforcement agencies – as an investigative aid and a training tool. At a public forum tomorrow on Long Island, New York state lawmakers will consider proposals to make electronic recording of interrogations standard practice in the state.

Members of the New York State Senate Democratic Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform will hear testimony from Jeffrey Deskovic, who spent over 15 years in prison after he falsely confessed to a murder he didn’t commit. Also testifying on the merits of this legislation to prevent wrongful convictions are Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck, Attorney Thomas Sullivan (

who has studied and published on this topic

), and representatives of Martin Tankleff, whose conviction was overturned this year after he spent 17 years in prison for murders he didn’t commit. State Sen. Eric Schneiderman chairs the task force.

Read more about the public hearing here

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Members of the public or media planning to attend can

email us for more information

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