The Plea of Innocence: Restoring Truth to the American Justice System
The Plea of Innocence: Restoring Truth to the American Justice System examines reform to the adversarial legal system and proposes that the government take responsibility for seeking facts that may exonerate plausibly innocent defendants. The book argues that this approach would trade a defendant’s right to remain silent for participation in a search for truth.
At a glance
- Argues for a reform in which plausibly innocent defendants can require the government to search for exonerating facts.
- Explores the proposed trade-off of waiving the right to remain silent and participating in an investigation.
- Addresses the allocation of responsibility for gathering evidence between accused people and public officials.
Reference price: $34.00
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Focuses on a specific proposed change to adversarial criminal proceedings rather than discussing reform only in general terms.
- At 248 pages, the listing gives a clear indication of the book’s length.
Cons
- The proposed plea requires defendants to give up the right to remain silent, a substantial trade-off for readers assessing the reform.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | NYU Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | October 4, 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 248 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1479817120 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1479817122 |
| Weight listed | 1 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in criminal procedure, trial practice, and justice-system reform.
- Students, legal professionals, or policy readers examining wrongful convictions and the government’s role in investigating exonerating evidence.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a neutral procedural handbook rather than an argument for a particular reform.
- Readers who want a general introduction to the American justice system without a focus on innocence claims and adversarial procedure.
Frequently asked questions
What reform does The Plea of Innocence propose?
It proposes that plausibly innocent defendants be able to plead innocent and require the government to search for exonerating facts, in exchange for waiving the right to remain silent and participating in the search for truth.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 248 pages.
Who published the book, and when?
The listed publisher is NYU Press, and the publication date is October 4, 2022.
