The American criminal justice system was designed to equip two equal sides in each case: a prosecution and a defense, with judges ensuring a fair fight. In most American courtrooms, however, reality falls far from this ideal. In Charged, investigative journalist and legal analyst Emily Bazelon reveals how large a role prosecutors play in determining the outcome of a case. Their role in determining key decisions—from the amount of bail to sentence lengths—means they ultimately have the power to decide who goes free and who goes to prison, who lives and who dies. Bazelon illuminates this under-reported cause of enormous injustice—and missing part of our conversations around mass incarceration.

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This program recognizes the generous support of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to the Chicago Humanities Festival and is presented in partnership with WTTW/Chicago Tonight.

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