Center on the Administration of Criminal Law
An apolitical advocacy organization and think-tank dedicated to promoting good government practices in the criminal justice system.
About the Center
The Center analyzes important issues of criminal law, particularly focusing on prosecutorial power and discretion.The Center analyzes important issues of criminal law, particularly focusing on prosecutorial power and discretion. It pursues this mission in three main arenas: academia, the courts, and public policy debates. Through the Center's academic component, the Center researches criminal justice practices at all levels of government, produces scholarship on criminal justice issues, and hosts symposia and conferences to address significant topics in criminal law and procedure. The litigation component uses the Center’s research and experience with criminal justice practices to inform courts in important criminal justice matters, particularly in cases in which exercises of prosecutorial discretion create significant legal issues. The public policy component applies the Center’s criminal justice expertise to improve practices in the criminal justice system and enhance the public dialogue on criminal justice matters. The Center is the first and only organization dedicated to defining good government practices in criminal prosecutions. No other organization is dedicated to improving prosecution practices through research, litigation, and the improvement of public policy.
What's New:
The Center's spring conference is featured in The Crime Report's article, "Science in the Courtroom." See our Events page for more about the Spring Conference.
PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES HIS INTENTION TO NOMINATE FACULTY DIRECTOR RACHEL E. BARKOW TO SERVE AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE U.S. SENTENCING COMMISSION.
On March 25, 2013, the Center, with pro bono assistance from Paul D. Clement, Esq. and D. Zachary Hudson, Esq. of Bancroft PLLC, and with research support from Center Fellows Yotam Barkai ('13) and Sam Zeitlin ('14), submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission urging the FCC to take action to lower the rates charged for interstate inmate calling services.
The Center's faculty director, Prof. Rachel E. Barkow, wins 2012-13 Distinguished Teaching Award.
The National Law Journal highlighted the Center's Supreme Court amicus brief in Alleyne v. United States as brief of the week. In its brief, the Center argues that facts that trigger the application of a mandatory minimum sentence should be found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt rather than by a judge by the preponderence of the evidence.
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