Durham, North Carolina, USA Skyline.

Our latest report

Plea Tracking in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office

Our second report unlocking the "black box" of plea bargains

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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

Gavel on a table with Book Cover: Defending Due Process: Why Fairness Matters in a Polarized World

Out now!

Defending Due Process: Why Fairness Matters in a Polarized World

By Faculty Director Brandon Garrett

Out now!

Our 2023-2024 Annual Report

Detailing our work over the last fiscal year

front view of the Duke Law School in the fall

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

test tubes with q-tips and a bag labeled evidence

Accuracy of Evidence

Preventing wrongful convictions by improving and fundamentally reforming how scientists, the public, judges, lawyers, and jurors understand evidence presented in court

gavel in front of scales of justice on a desk. Two people's hands are visible

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

close up shot of woman sitting on a couch in front of a doctor with a clipoard wearing a stethescope. Only their torsoes and hands are visible.

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

open wallet with driver's license

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 […]

Ten people standing in front of a logo that says Duke Law

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  […]

Durham, North Carolina, USA Skyline.

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 […]

Person holding out a driver's license from their car window

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 […]

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