| Type: | Undergraduate Subject |
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| Code: | LAWS13-564 |
| EFTSL: | 0.125 |
| Faculty: | Faculty of Law |
| Semesters offered: |
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| Credit: | 10 |
| Study areas: |
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| Subject fees: |
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Description
Miscarriages of Justice is an elective subject in undergraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law. While there is no doubt that the overwhelming majority of trials produce justified convictions or acquittals, there have been a number of high profile cases where the conclusions are questionable or where decisions have been overturned. This subject examines some of those high profile cases to decipher the systemic causes of such failures through an understanding of the processes involved in the criminal justice system. The subject also addresses the roles of investigators, the media, forensic science, expert witnesses, lawyers, juries, eyewitness testimony and the appeals process to determine how these may impact on cases of injustice.
Subject details
Learning outcomes
- Think critically about an investigation trial and conviction.
- Apply legal precedent to facts and determine weaknesses in prosecutorial or investigative approach.
- Communicate findings both during group discussions and in public discourse.
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
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| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
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| Restrictions: |
Students must be admitted into a Bachelor law degree or Bachelor of Laws combined degree or be an approved Law Study Abroad OR Law exchange student. This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure. |
Subject outlines
- May 2025 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2024 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2023 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2022 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2021 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2020 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2019 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2018 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
- May 2017 [Standard - Miscarriages of Justice]
Subject dates
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May 2025
Standard Offering Enrolment opens: 23/03/2025 Semester start: 19/05/2025 Subject start: 19/05/2025 Last enrolment: 01/06/2025 Teaching census: 13/06/2025 Withdraw - Financial: 14/06/2025 Withdraw - Academic: 05/07/2025
| Standard Offering | |
|---|---|
| Enrolment opens: | 23/03/2025 |
| Semester start: | 19/05/2025 |
| Subject start: | 19/05/2025 |
| Last enrolment: | 01/06/2025 |
| Teaching census: | 13/06/2025 |
| Withdraw - Financial: | 14/06/2025 |
| Withdraw - Academic: | 05/07/2025 |