Our latest report
Plea Tracking in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office
Our second report unlocking the "black box" of plea bargains
Our latest report in collaboration with the NC Leadership Forum
Conversations on Community Safety
North Carolina Leaders Across the Aisle Discuss Making Our Communities Safer
Out now!
Defending Due Process: Why Fairness Matters in a Polarized World
By Faculty Director Brandon Garrett
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 fairness 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 solutions.
Our work focuses on three key areas: improving the accuracy of the evidence used in criminal cases, promoting fair 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
Fairness in Criminal Outcomes
Promoting fair outcomes in the criminal legal system by identifying racial, economic, and other structural disparities at all levels and working with community stakeholders and policy makers to implement solutions
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
The Problem of Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions
Nearly one million people have had their driver’s license suspended for court debt. To solve this problem, we need to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions for all. By Lindsay Bass-Patel […]
Recap: Life after Life
Formerly incarcerated discuss experiences behind bars and the importance of second chances This semester, we were honored to join the Duke Decarceration Project and Duke’s Criminal Defense Clinic in welcoming […]
Plea Tracking in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office
Wilson Center for Science and Justice Release New Report on Plea Bargaining in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office Second report on data analysis reveals key insights into Durham’s plea […]
Community Safety, Driver’s License Suspension, and Fairness: Lessons from NCLF
Recap from our Webinar Last month we cohosted a webinar with our colleagues at the North Carolina Leadership Forum (NCLF), featuring: Sen. Warren Daniel, North Carolina State Senator (District 46) serving […]