Arent Fox partner Bernice Leber spoke January 27 at a panel discussion exploring ways for the criminal justice system to reduce and eliminate wrongful convictions of innocent defendants.  

Bernice served as the president of the New York State Bar Association in 2008-2009 during which she made the reduction of wrongful convictions one of her highest priorities. In 2008, Bernice formed a task force, chaired by New York City Criminal Court Judge Barry Kamins, to study and recommend ways to curb wrongful convictions. The task force issued its report and recommendations last April.

During the discussion, which was held at the state bar's annual meeting, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. announced he will adopt many of the recommendations contained in the task force report Bernice authorized “to help develop an office in which the chances are minimized that innocent defendants will be arrested, prosecuted and convicted,” according to the New York Law Journal. 

To read the Final Report of the New York State Bar Association's Task Force on Wrongful Convictions, please click here.