College of Law Conference Looks at the Phenomenon of False Confessions

Why do false confessions occur? How do Miranda warnings figure into interrogations that result in confessions? Learn more about the phenomenon of false confessions at the upcoming symposium

False Confessions: Why Do They Happen?

, hosted by the Weaver Institute of Law and Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. 

The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 in Tangeman University Center, Room 220. All are invited to attend.

Prominent legal scholars and clinical psychologists from around the country will discuss competency to stand trial, under what conditions defendants confess, how cognitive deficits impact interrogations, and how linguistic and cognitive deficits, mental illness, and age can affect a defendant’s ability to interact with legal counsel or police, along with many other aspects of this topic.

Cost

: Free for UC faculty, staff and students. A small registration fee is required for all others.  

Registration

:

False Confessions Conference

CLE

: Attorneys may receive up to 5 hours general credit

Program Participants:

Scott Bresler

,

assistant professor of clinical psychiatry, clinical director of the Risk Management Center in the Division of Forensic Psychiatry and director of inpatient psychology at University Hospital, University of Cincinnati

. Bresler coordinates and implements psychological and neuropsychological assessments. He also provides fitness for duty evaluations, threat assessment consultations, and program consultations for various corporate entities, police agencies and universities in the region, as well as performs forensic assessments in criminal and civil cases in the Cincinnati area and around the country.

Professor Steven Drizin

,

clinical professor of law and assistant dean, Bluhm Legal Clinic, Northwestern Law

. Drizin studies cases from across the country involving false confessions and works to support national efforts to modify interrogation procedures to avoid wrongful convictions. He has published numerous books and articles regarding this subject matter, including "True Stories of False Confessions," (with Rob Warden). He is the former legal director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions.

Thomas Grisso

,

professor of psychiatry, director of psychology, and director of the Law-Psychiatry Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School

. Grisso is known for his work on developing forensic assessments, and for his research on juveniles' capacities in legal contexts. His contributions have been recognized by awards from the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the American Psychology-Law Society, and an honorary Doctor of Law from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Professor Michele LaVigne

,

clinical professor of law, University of Wisconsin Law School

.  Before joining the clinical faculty at the University of Wisconsin, LaVigne practiced as a state public defender in Madison, Wis. She now teaches criminal law, professional responsibility, and trial advocacy, and directs the public defender internship program. She is a longtime faculty member at the National Criminal Defense College and the Wisconsin Trial Skills Academy. Her research and advocacy interests concern language deficits among defendants and the impact on those deficits on behavior, communication and due process.

Professor Paula Shear

,

professor of psychology and psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience, director for the Clinical Program in Psychology, and graduate director for clinical psychology, University of Cincinnati

. Shear’s research interests are in the neuropsychological effects of neuropsychiatric disorders; affective and social cognition; neuropsychology of epilepsy; neuroimaging; and cognitive assessment.

This event is sponsored by the Glenn M. Weaver Institute of Law and Psychiatry at the College of Law.