Out of almost 3,000 exonerations since 1989, the National Registry of Exonerations (NRE) has found over 400 exonerations due to drug possession or sale. What happened in those 400 cases where individuals lost hundreds of years? Where did the errors occur? This presentation will provide an overview of wrongful convictions and exonerations, research on drug arrests and convictions, what we know so far from the NRE, and a discussion on changes to be made.

Dr. Mills is an Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of West Georgia in the Department of Civic Engagement and Public Service. She graduated with her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, Master’s in Criminology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Bachelors in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida. Her research agenda includes topics of wrongful convictions, legal issues in criminal justice, and sentencing.