Proof Over Precedent Podcast

Proof Over Precedent is a weekly podcast discussing the work of bringing credible evidence to lawyers, judges, and decision makers, to transform the U.S. justice system into an evidence-based field. Listeners will learn from 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.

Cartoon depicting three little pics trying to avoid eviction from the wolf

Episode 12: Can Texts Help Secure Housing and Avoid Evictions?

In this episode of Proof Over Precedent, host Jim Greiner talks with the A2J Lab’s Renee Danser about the recently completed pilot study referred to as the “Eviction Diversion Study.” The study aimed to combat housing security by providing legal information and resources to at-risk populations in the Houston area via text messaging. Ultimately, insights […]

Cartoon depicting different sports players participating in a Human Subjects Bowl

Episode 10: What is Human Subjects Research in Law?

In this second episode in the Proof Over Precedent series on demystifying the institutional review board process in law, host Jim Greiner speaks again with IRB expert Shannon Sewards, this time to define human subjects research and differentiate it from medical research.

Cartoon depicting an online court hearing held from a bedroom

Episode 7: Evaluating Online and In-Person Family Law Hearings

Does the medium of family law cases — online or in-person — factor into procedural justice and the satisfaction of litigants in these cases? One U.S. court system wanted to find out. With the study a few months from completion, a third factor has emerged– litigant choice.

Cartoon of effect of Zoom court on failure to appear rates

Episode 6: Online Courts Show Promise but Little National FTA Data

Hypothetical situation (that was real for at least one person): You’re issued a traffic ticket requiring appearance in a courthouse 400 miles away from your home. Do you a) absorb the travel costs and skip work to appear in court, b) pay the ticket fine online, if possible, to avoid the hassle, c) hire a lawyer to appear for you, if possible, or d) appear in court via Zoom, if available? The best option seems obvious, but data on Zoom’s effect on court hearings and failure to appear rates are still elusive.

Cartoon depicting non-lawyer legal services in agency immigration litigation

Episode 3: Can Non-Lawyers Offer Relief and Expertise in Deportation Cases?

In this first Student Voices episode of Proof Over Precedent, Harvard Law School student Michael Pusic proposes a possible solution for the 86% of noncitizens detained in immigration court without a lawyer: Enable non-lawyers with specialized training and experience to represent individuals facing deportation. It’s already passed observational tests; now, he says, it’s time for a randomized control trial.

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