Description
Trade Review"The author's accumulation of evidence is revelatory. An eye-opening book that suggests how commonplace are miscarriages of justice in the U.S." * Kirkus Reviews *
“Jessica Henry provides a concise and even-handed account of no-crime convictions and the numerous, interdependent ways in which they are allowed to continue. Her ability to weave personal stories with the matter of (legal) fact writing beautifully illustrates a perfectly ugly scenario. . . . The book is an informative and interesting read that also provides a great starting point for anyone who may want to further investigate this miscarriage of criminal justice.” * Crime, Law and Social Change *
"
Smoke but No Fire is an engaging read that offers a damning indictment of the American criminal justice system and its pervasive indifference to the possibility of innocence." * Wrongful Conviction Law Review *
"
Smoke but No Fire is groundbreaking and frightening. . . . This book lays bare the deepest and darkest dysfunction within the criminal legal system and helps us understand what we can do about it." * The Champion *
"The book allows the reader a bit of hope, which is both cautiously optimistic and deliberately realistic. Henry provides a number of recommendations for reform that do not push the bounds of reality but instead focus on incremental and achievable success."
* Crime, Law, and Social Change *
Table of ContentsPreface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Phantom Crimes
1 • Forensic Error: Misclassified Murders and Mislabeled Crimes
2 • False Accusations: When Lies Become Courtroom Truths
3 • Police: Crossing the “Thin Blue Line”
4 • Prosecutors: Winning, at All Costs
5 • Defense Lawyers: Drowning in Cases
6 • Judges: Tilting the Scales of Justice
7 • Misdemeanors: Not Minor Matters
Conclusion: Clearing the Smoke
Notes
Index
