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PODCAST

Proof Over Precedent

Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School

The Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School discusses the work of bringing credible evidence to lawyers, judges, and decision makers, to transform the U.S. justice system into an evidence-based field. We bring you weekly one-on-one interviews with experts in the area of access to justice -- researchers, lawyers, professors, law students, data analysts, research participants, and anyone who has an interesting role in this growing area.

government

All Episodes

00:18:07

Episode 31: Life Without Parole—a Death Sentence in...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2026/01/12

In this "Student Voices" episode, HLS J.D. candidate Kristen Arnold looks at the procedural shortcomings of life sentences without the possibility of parole, particularly in comparison to capital punishment cases. She dives into the injustices of the LWOP procedure, the no-hope consequences for inmates and the system, and opportunity for a randomized control trial in the field to improve fairness.

en-US

01:02:53

Episode 30: Do Judges Actually Read Search Warrants?

Proof Over Precedent ·

2026/01/06

Despite search warrants being a topic of significant interest in court cases and legal scholarship, the process of obtaining warrants offers comparatively little information. But when researchers found a surprising public data point in this field, their analysis led to sobering findings regarding the time judges spend reviewing warrants and the high approval rates of such warrants. In this episode of Proof Over Precedent, the researchers discuss their

en-US

01:02:53

Episode 30: Do Judges Actually Read Search Warrants?

Proof Over Precedent ·

2026/01/06

Despite search warrants being a topic of significant interest in court cases and legal scholarship, the process of obtaining warrants offers comparatively little information. But when researchers found a surprising public data point in this field, their analysis led to sobering findings regarding the time judges spend reviewing warrants and the high approval rates of such warrants. In this episode of Proof Over Precedent, the researchers discuss their

en-US

00:25:27

Episode 28: Pretrial Detention Efficacy and Alternatives

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/22

This Student Voices episode focuses on the data and studies pointing to the shortcomings of pretrial detention – the significant costs, lack of impact on reducing crime, and shortage of failure-to-appear connections. HLS JD candidate Leann Poarch instead suggests a low-cost, relatively low-tech alternative that may be more effective.

en-US

00:25:27

Episode 28: Pretrial Detention Efficacy and Alternatives

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/22

This Student Voices episode focuses on the data and studies pointing to the shortcomings of pretrial detention – the significant costs, lack of impact on reducing crime, and shortage of failure-to-appear connections. HLS JD candidate Leann Poarch instead suggests a low-cost, relatively low-tech alternative that may be more effective.

en-US

00:25:44

Episode 27: The Hidden Costs of Pretrial Detention

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/16

In this Student Voices episode, HLS J.D. candidate Leann Poarch discusses the significant costs of detaining individuals who await trial, such as legal fees, loss of employment, and long-term economic and psychological effects. Given that detaining individuals not yet convicted can cost local governments more than $13 billion, is it time to look into reforming the pretrial system?

en-US

00:25:44

Episode 27: The Hidden Costs of Pretrial Detention

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/16

In this Student Voices episode, HLS J.D. candidate Leann Poarch discusses the significant costs of detaining individuals who await trial, such as legal fees, loss of employment, and long-term economic and psychological effects. Given that detaining individuals not yet convicted can cost local governments more than $13 billion, is it time to look into reforming the pretrial system?

en-US

01:03:17

Episode 26: When is Informed Consent Unnecessary?

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/09

Image by Courtney Chrystal, J.D. candidate, Harvard Law School In this episode of Proof Over Precedent, the fourth in a series on Ethics in the Law, host Jim Greiner talks again with IRB expert Shannon Sewards to discuss the complexities and criteria involved in obtaining waivers of informed consent within the realm of social science and legal research, comparing it to the regulations governing medical research. The two dive into an A2J Lab study on

en-US

01:03:17

Episode 26: When is Informed Consent Unnecessary?

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/09

Image by Courtney Chrystal, J.D. candidate, Harvard Law School In this episode of Proof Over Precedent, the fourth in a series on Ethics in the Law, host Jim Greiner talks again with IRB expert Shannon Sewards to discuss the complexities and criteria involved in obtaining waivers of informed consent within the realm of social science and legal research, comparing it to the regulations governing medical research. The two dive into an A2J Lab study on

en-US

00:58:28

Episode 25: Legal Labyrinths Reveal Divorce Filing Woes

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/02

Why is it so hard logistically to file for divorce when legally some cases are quite simple and uncomplicated? This second divorce study episode of Proof Over Precedent dives into the data behind the hassle factors and shares the surprising results of measuring the pro se accessibility of a court system. Maybe the answer isn't more lawyers.

en-US

00:46:30

Episode 24: Till Death—or an Affordable Divorce—Do Us...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/02

When it comes to obtaining a divorce, pro se litigants face significant obstacles, stemming primarily from financial challenges. Without a lawyer, many are ill equipped to undertake the complex paperwork, waiting periods, and logistical hurdles that come with filing for divorce. This first of two divorce study episodes of Proof Over Precedent introduces the randomized controlled trial the A2J Lab undertook to determine how effective pro bono matching

en-US

00:58:28

Episode 25: Legal Labyrinths Reveal Divorce Filing Woes

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/12/02

Image by Felicia Quan, J.D. candidate, Harvard Law School Why is it so hard logistically to file for divorce when legally some cases are quite simple and uncomplicated? This second divorce study episode of Proof Over Precedent dives into the data behind the hassle factors and shares the surprising results of measuring the pro se accessibility of a court system. Maybe the answer isn’t more lawyers. Listen to Episode 24: Legal Labyrinths Reveal

en-US

00:29:44

Episode 23: Innovative Approaches to Mental Health...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/11/18

Rogers hearings allow Massachusetts judges to approve treatment plans for involuntarily committed individuals, but the process is criticized for its inefficiency and 99% approval rate. What if procedural reforms could improve outcomes? Replacing district court judges with administrative law judges to oversee hearings and substituting public defenders with mental health professionals as patient advocates could improve outcomes for both the involuntarily

en-US

00:29:44

Episode 23: Innovative Approaches to Mental Health...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/11/18

Rogers hearings allow Massachusetts judges to approve treatment plans for involuntarily committed individuals, but the process is criticized for its inefficiency and 99% approval rate. What if procedural reforms could improve outcomes? Replacing district court judges with administrative law judges to oversee hearings and substituting public defenders with mental health professionals as patient advocates could improve outcomes for both the involuntarily

en-US

00:22:25

Episode 22: Exploring Involuntary Commitment and...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/11/11

In this "Student Voices" episode of Proof Over Precedent, HLS student Aarushi Solanki discusses involuntary commitment laws for psychiatric patients in Massachusetts, where the process of holding separate commitment and treatment hearings winds up denying patients access to timely treatment.

en-US

00:22:25

Episode 22: Exploring Involuntary Commitment and...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/11/11

In this "Student Voices" episode of Proof Over Precedent, HLS student Aarushi Solanki discusses involuntary commitment laws for psychiatric patients in Massachusetts, where the process of holding separate commitment and treatment hearings winds up denying patients access to timely treatment.

en-US

01:06:43

Episode 21: What is the Impact of Legal Counsel at...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/11/03

Can the presence of legal counsel at a criminal justice defendant's first court hearing transform their journey through the justice system? Two Texas counties examined this possibility in a now-completed A2J Lab study. Project researchers discuss the results in this Proof Over Precedent episode.

en-US

01:06:43

Episode 21: What is the Impact of Legal Counsel at...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/11/03

Can the presence of legal counsel at a criminal justice defendant's first court hearing transform their journey through the justice system? Two Texas counties examined this possibility in a now-completed A2J Lab study. Project researchers discuss the results in this Proof Over Precedent episode.

en-US

00:14:00

Episode 20: Caught in the Web -- Government Websites...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/10/27

Access to justice via government websites should mean ease of digital access to information. In this Student Voices episode of Proof Over Precedent, J.D. candidate Spencer Thieme argues for simple and inexpensive upgrades to state and federal government websites to improve accessibility for the nonlawyers and non-government workers.

en-US

00:14:00

Episode 20: Caught in the Web -- Government Websites...

Proof Over Precedent ·

2025/10/27

Access to justice via government websites should mean ease of digital access to information. In this Student Voices episode of Proof Over Precedent, J.D. candidate Spencer Thieme argues for simple and inexpensive upgrades to state and federal government websites to improve accessibility for the nonlawyers and non-government workers.

en-US

57 results

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