Program Co-sponsor: The Plea Bargaining Task Force of the NYCLA Justice Center

 Program Chair: Lewis Tesser, Tesser, Ryan & Rochman LLP

Keynote Speaker: Rodney Roberts, The Innocence Project -- Why He Pled Guilty to a Crime He Did Not Commit

 Faculty: Professor Elayne Greenberg, St. Johns Law School; Charles Kerr, Steering Committee Member, Plea Bargaining Task Force; James B. Kobak, Jr., Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, Chair, NYCLA Justice Center; Hon. Joseph Kevin McKay (Ret.), Vice-Chair, NYCLA’s Justice Center; Lewis Tesser, Tesser, Ryan & Rochman LLP

 Why do innocent people plead guilty?

The Plea Bargaining Task Force of the NYCLA Justice Center (the “Task Force”) was formed in 2018 at the suggestion of the chairs and under the auspices of the NYCLA  Justice Center to answer that question and to determine what can be done about it.

Specifically, the Task Force’s mission was to investigate whether and why innocent people plead guilty to crimes they did not commit and to recommend practical and achievable steps for reducing the incidence of such pleas and improving implementation and public perception of the fairness of the plea-bargaining process.

The Task Force comprised of 70 prosecutors, defense counsel, retired judges, academics, and bar leaders with substantial experience and varied perspectives related to the criminal justice system in the federal and state courts in New York City.

After a year of study, discussion and analysis, the Task Force is ready to present its report, and to discuss an action plan for confronting this problem at this informative and compelling program.

In addition, hear from Keynote Speaker Rodney Roberts, as he discusses his incredible story about why he pled guilty to a crime he did not commit!!!