(In)Justice System

Pregnancy

Proving What You Already Believe Is Easy

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on June 25, 2024

What is “medical certainty?” And how did it lead to the criminal conviction and 30-year prison sentence of stay-at-home mom Moira Akers?

What is “medical certainty?” And how did it lead to the criminal conviction and 30-year prison sentence of stay-at-home mom Moira Akers?

Pregnancy

If They Float, She is Guilty

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

A test thought by many medical professionals to be "inaccurate, outdated and unethical" contributed to a woman being sentenced to thirty years in prison.

A test thought by many medical professionals to be "inaccurate, outdated and unethical" contributed to a woman being sentenced to thirty years in prison.

Law and Crime

Difficult and Unpleasant Choices or Impossible and Coerced Ones?

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on November 2, 2023

If you were offered a choice while imprisoned, with limited access to information, and under severe time pressure, would you feel free to meaningfully evaluate it?

If you were offered a choice while imprisoned, with limited access to information, and under severe time pressure, would you feel free to meaningfully evaluate it?

Law and Crime

Confessions Produce More Guilty Pleas Than Eyewitnesses

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on August 25, 2023

Confessions make both guilty and innocent defendants more likely to accept a plea offer, but the reasons why are unclear.

Confessions make both guilty and innocent defendants more likely to accept a plea offer, but the reasons why are unclear.

Decision-Making

Why Judges Should Have a Greater Role in Plea-Bargaining

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on July 28, 2023

How a change to the judicial system could improve fairness—and save time and money.

How a change to the judicial system could improve fairness—and save time and money.

Politics

The Diplomat: Moving Beyond the “Strong Female Character”

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Personal Perspective: Why we should encourage more women to run for political office.

Personal Perspective: Why we should encourage more women to run for political office.

Law and Crime

Reject the Offer: An Asymmetric Impact of Defense Attorneys

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on May 23, 2023

Defense attorneys are most influential on their clients when they say they want to go to trial.

Defense attorneys are most influential on their clients when they say they want to go to trial.

President Donald Trump

The American Bar Association’s Plea Bargain Task Force

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

Common ground in an adversarial system of justice.

Common ground in an adversarial system of justice.

Career

Taylor Swift as a Defendant

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on March 30, 2023

Taylor Swift is undefeated... in court battles.

Taylor Swift is undefeated... in court battles.

Decision-Making

Mass Incarceration Affects Half as Many as Mass Probation

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on February 8, 2023

While America’s problem with mass incarceration is often the focus of scrutiny, we often ignore its link to another issue that touches even more people.

While America’s problem with mass incarceration is often the focus of scrutiny, we often ignore its link to another issue that touches even more people.

Health

Dobbs Will Increase America’s Mass Incarceration

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on November 1, 2022

Illegal abortions could exacerbate America's already-existing mass incarceration problem.

Illegal abortions could exacerbate America's already-existing mass incarceration problem.

Health

The State’s “Legitimate Interest” in Women's Health

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on August 24, 2022

Personal Perspective: Will the precedent created by Dobbs lead to more regulations? "Potential"-ly

Personal Perspective: Will the precedent created by Dobbs lead to more regulations? "Potential"-ly

Marriage

How a Post-Dobbs World Affects Us All

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on July 19, 2022

The Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs might not affect you today, but the door it opens could affect you tomorrow.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs might not affect you today, but the door it opens could affect you tomorrow.

Genetics

The Case of Kerry Max Cook

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

How hard would you fight to clear your name?

How hard would you fight to clear your name?

Law and Crime

A Plea Conviction Does Not Require a Guilty Plea

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on May 17, 2022

What does it take to overturn a plea conviction?

What does it take to overturn a plea conviction?

Guilt

Getting to the Truth: An Alternative to Interrogation

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on April 20, 2022

Could you elicit a confession without an interrogation? Yes.

Could you elicit a confession without an interrogation? Yes.

Intelligence

A Case in Which Only the Unreasonable Would Be Absent Doubt

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

A Personal Perspective: A capital murder trial in which expert psychological testimony was denied was fundamentally unfair.

A Personal Perspective: A capital murder trial in which expert psychological testimony was denied was fundamentally unfair.

Guilt

What You Should Know if You Are Interrogated

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on February 22, 2022

Should you take the Fifth? A look at interrogation processes may help you decide.

Should you take the Fifth? A look at interrogation processes may help you decide.

Motivation

What You Should Know If You Are Arrested

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on January 31, 2022

Here's how the desire to clear your name can get you into legal trouble.

Here's how the desire to clear your name can get you into legal trouble.

Fear

What You Should Know If You Are Questioned by the Police

Miko M. Wilford Ph.D. on January 12, 2022

Is cooperating with law enforcement in your best interest? The answer might depend on what they already think of you.

Is cooperating with law enforcement in your best interest? The answer might depend on what they already think of you.