Hofstra Law Professor I. Bennett Capers Wins Stessin Prize

Hofstra Law School, Hempstead, N.Y. —

Hofstra Law Professor I. Bennett Capers has been named one of the two Hofstra University faculty winners of the 2008-2009 Lawrence A. Stessin Prize for Outstanding Scholarly Publications, Provost Herman A. Berliner announced today.

Capers, an associate professor of law, was honored for his journal article, “Crime, Legitimacy and Testilying,” Indiana Law Journal 83 (2008), 835-880.

"The article examines the perception, especially prevalent in poor and minority communities, that the police often engage in perjury, and are themselves illegitimate," said Capers. "The article argues that prosecuting police perjury can contribute to community acceptance of the law as legitimate, and in fact result in a reduction of crime in the general population."

The Stessin recipients will be recognized at the 2009 undergraduate commencement on May 17 at James. A. Shuart Stadium, South Campus. This is the 25th year the prize has been awarded.