I’ve spent my entire career challenging the criminal legal system. I’m a former public defender, Professor Emerita of Justice Studies at Montclair State University, an award-winning author, and the host of the podcast Just Justice, which takes a deep dive into second chances in American justice — who gets one, who deserves one, and who decides. I was also appointed in 2024 by Governor Phil Murphy to serve on the New Jersey Clemency Advisory Board.

I worked in New York City as a public defender doing appeals and trial work for almost 10 years. What I saw was a system that was stacked against my clients. The police and prosecutors had all the resources and all the advantages, while my clients were forced to make important decisions — like whether to plead guilty to a crime they didn’t commit — based on whether they could afford to make bail or miss work for more court dates or arrange for expensive childcare. Poverty, not justice, often dictated the outcome of any given case.

When I joined the faculty in the department of Justice Studies at Montclair State University, I saw the perfect opportunity to continue working for justice. Through my teaching, research, writing, and advocacy, I seek to challenge misconceptions about crime, punishment and the people caught within our legal system. My commentary and scholarship have been featured in national media outlets, and I regularly speak and write on issues related to criminal justice reform.

My first book, Smoke but No Fire: Convicting the Innocent of Crimes that Never Happened (University of California Press, 2020), helped shine a light on an outrageous and shocking truth: nearly 40% of all exonerations involve the wrongful conviction of innocent people convicted of crimes that never even happened at all.

My new book, Bending the Bars: The Case for Second Chances in American Justice, coming March 2027 from University of California Press, explores second chances for people serving severe prison sentences and makes the case for mercy, accountability, redemption, and sound justice policy.

Through my writing, speaking, podcast, and public service, I hope to help build a more humane and more just legal system.

Thank you for visiting my site!