Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates Whether Prosecutors Have Too Much Power on November 10, Free in Chicago and Online

The right to trial by jury is codified in the Bill of Rights, but over 90% of court cases never go trial. They are resolved instead through plea bargains, a system in which prosecutors hold enormous power. Some say prosecutors in fact have too much power, assuming the role of judge and jury often for the poor and minorities who may not be able to expect equal justice under the law. But others argue that prosecutors need that leverage since some cases are complex and the burden of proof for a trial conviction is so high. On Tuesday, November 10, Intelligence Squared U.S. addresses these questions with a live debate on the motion "U.S. Prosecutors Have Too Much Power."

The debate marks the return to Chicago by the prestigious NYC-based non-partisan debate series Intelligence Squared U.S., which has also held recent debates in DC, Philadelphia, LA, Boston, and Aspen. All four debaters are former federal prosecutors or judges. Arguing for the motion are Paul Butler and Nancy Gertner. Arguing against are David Hoffman and Reid Schar. This marks the inaugural Newt and Jo Minow Debate at Northwestern Law, who is co-presenting the event with Intelligence Squared U.S.

The debate will stream live online from the Northwestern University School of Law, then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." On November 10, online viewers can tune in here or via IQ2's app here

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "U.S. Prosecutors Have Too Much Power"
WHEN: Tue, November 10, 2015 / Debate 6:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: Thorne Auditorium @ Northwestern University School of Law / 375 East Chicago Avenue / Chicago, IL 60611
TICKETS: Free (registration is required). To register, visit http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/

Arguing for the motion:
* Paul Butler: Fmr. U.S. Federal Prosecutor & Professor, Georgetown Law
Paul Butler, professor of law at Georgetown Law, researches and teaches in the areas of criminal law, race relations law, and critical theory. Prior to joining the academy, he served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where his specialty was public corruption. His prosecutions included a U.S. senator, three FBI agents, and several other law enforcement officials. While at the DOJ, Butler also worked as a special assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia, prosecuting drug and gun cases. One of the nation’s most frequently consulted scholars on issues of race and criminal justice, Butler has been featured across academic and popular media. He is the author of the widely reviewed Let’s Get Free: A Hip-Hop Theory of Justice, which received the Harry Chapin Media award.
* Nancy Gertner: Fmr. U.S. Federal Judge & Sr. Lecturer, Harvard Law
Nancy Gertner, a former U.S. federal judge, has built her career around standing up for women’s rights, civil liberties, and justice for all. She was appointed to the federal bench of the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts by President Bill Clinton in 1994. In 2008 she received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the American Bar Association, Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, which recognized her contributions to advancing human rights and civil liberties. The Marshall award has been given to one other woman, Justice Ruth Ginsburg. Before joining the bench, Gertner represented civil plaintiffs and criminal defendants in benchmark cases focused on women’s rights and civil liberties.

Arguing against the motion:
* David Hoffman: Fmr. Federal Prosecutor & Partner, Sidley Austin
David Hoffman, a former inspector general and federal prosecutor, is a partner at Sidley Austin, where he co-heads the White Collar Group. He has tried over a dozen federal jury cases, argued and briefed multiple appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals, directed hundreds of investigations, and advised numerous public and private entities on ethics and compliance matters. From 1998 to 2005, Hoffman was an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago, where he was promoted to deputy chief of the Narcotics and Gangs Section. From 2005 to 2009, he served as Chicago’s inspector general, transforming the office into a strong, independent anti-corruption agency. He clerked for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and for Judge Dennis G. Jacobs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
* Reid Schar: Fmr. Federal Prosecutor & Partner, Jenner & Block
Reid Schar, a former federal prosecutor, is a partner at Jenner & Block, where he co-chairs the White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice. During his 13-year tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, he tried more than 20 criminal cases, involving complex fraud, public corruption, terrorism and terrorism financing, environmental crimes, tax violations, violent crimes, and narcotics conspiracies. Notably, Schar was the lead prosecutor in both corruption trials of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. Recently, he was appointed to serve as special counsel to the New Jersey joint legislative committee investigating questions regarding the decision to close access lanes to the George Washington Bridge (generally referred to as “Bridgegate”).

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
A non-partisan, nonprofit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in 2006 to restore civility, reasoned analysis and constructive public discourse to today’s often biased media landscape. IQ2US reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including radio, television, live streaming, podcasts and interactive digital content. It is one of the top 25 most popular podcasts on iTunes, and has won the 2014 Clarion Award for Radio Regular Feature Program and three consecutive 2013-2015 New York Festivals International Radio Awards for Best Public Affairs Program. The debates have attracted some of the world's top thinkers, including Malcolm Gladwell, Steven Forbes, Dr. Neal Barnard, Arianna Huffington, Paul Krugman, and Karl Rove. With over 100 debates and counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008. The executive producer is Dana Wolfe.

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