When the Dollars Don’t Add Up to Sense
Our latest policy brief on criminal fines and fees in North Carolina
Removing Barriers for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Recommendations to Improve Housing Access
The Wilson Center releases its latest policy brief.
New Report from the Wilson Center and the Fines and Fees Justice Center
1 in 3 Americans Impacted by Legal Fees and Fines
This first of its kind, nationally representative survey reveals the devastating impacts of fines and fees.
The Center's Plea Tracker
Opening the Black Box of Plea Bargains
Over 90% of cases nationwide are resolved by plea bargains. The Wilson Center is working to make that process more transparent and equitable.
The Wilson Center leads national and community efforts to reform our criminal legal system, in collaborations, policy work, and research, drawing on the energy and expertise of our students, faculty, and staff at Duke.
Faculty Director and Founder, Professor Brandon Garrett
About the Wilson Center for Science and Justice
The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law works to advance criminal justice and equity through science and law. The Center's work is non-partisan and evidence-informed. We engage with community stakeholders, academics, and policy makers to conduct and translate interdisciplinary research into effective and practical policy change.
Our work focuses on three key areas: improving the accuracy of the evidence used in criminal cases, promoting fair and equitable outcomes in the criminal legal system, and improving behavioral health outcomes for persons who encounter, or are at risk for encountering, the criminal legal system.
Areas of Focus
Accuracy of Evidence
Preventing wrongful convictions by improving and fundamentally reforming how scientists, the public, judges, lawyers, and jurors understand evidence presented in court
Equity in Criminal Outcomes
Promoting fair and equitable outcomes in the criminal legal system by identifying racial, economic, and other structural inequities at all levels
Behavioral Health Needs
Improving outcomes for persons with mental illness and substance use disorders who encounter, or are at risk for encountering, the criminal legal system
What's Happening
The latest updates and news from the Wilson Center
News from the Wilson Center
When the Dollars Don’t Add Up to Sense
The Wilson Center releases new policy brief on criminal fines and fees in North Carolina One in three Americans has been directly impacted by fines and fees related to traffic, […]
October is National Youth Justice Action Month
April Scales, who was sentenced to life without parole at age 15 and granted clemency by Governor Cooper through the Juvenile Sentence Review Board process last year, spoke with our […]
Wilson Center Makes Recommendations to Improve Housing Access
Finding Home: Removing Barriers to Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Over half a million people in the United States are unhoused, and the rate of homelessness among formerly incarcerated individuals […]
Deflection and Diversion Summit Draws Participants from across North Carolina
This month, we were grateful for the opportunity to co-sponsor a Convening on Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion with the North Carolina Governor’s office and the North Carolina Department of Justice. […]