Issues
The Deason Center takes a Stats and Stories approach to research and reform. With an emphasis on early-stage criminal process, the Center’s expertise includes:
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Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel
The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is at the core of the Center’s mission. By studying public defense systems and advocating for best practices, the Center is committed to ensuring universal access to this fundamental right.
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STAR Criminal Justice
The Deason Center is the only academic research center in the country with a dedicated focus on the operation of small, tribal, and rural (STAR) criminal legal systems. The Center produces pioneering research and drives national reform conversations about criminal justice in STAR communities.
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Prosecutorial Discretion
With their discretionary power to screen and charge criminal cases, prosecutors wield extraordinary influence on the criminal legal system. Our research helps define best practices in this critical work.
