• Associate professor, School of Law
• Associate professor, African and African American Studies

Bracey

• B.S. at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• J.D. at Harvard Law School

News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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O.J. Simpson's legal woes - cultural, legal expert available Case highlights the "pitfalls and possibilities of celebrity justice" Sept. 21, 2007 -- "It is unlikely that a dispute over proper ownership of sports memorabilia would receive this sort of attention if it did not involve O.J. Simpson," says Christopher A. Bracey, associate professor of law and of African and African-American studies at Washington University in St. Louis. "If the past is prologue, his celebrity status may also prove to be his 'get out of jail free' card, reinforcing his reputation as a man who operates 'above the law.' On the other hand, recent celebrity cases suggest that celebrated athletes and entertainers will no longer receive a free pass when it comes to the criminal justice system. In the case of Michael Vick — and perhaps OJ — one might argue that celebrities are now, in some sense, being targeted for prosecution." Bracey is following the Simpson case and is available for interviews.

Law, cultural expert available for comment What Vick can avoid if he accepts a plea deal Aug. 16, 2007 -- "If all of the other defendants accept plea deals, and Vick does not, Vick will become the last man standing," says Christopher A. Bracey, associate professor of law and of African and African-American studies at Washington University in St. Louis. "This means that he will not only bear the brunt of a focused prosecution, but one substantially assisted by his former co-defendants." He is following the case and is available for interviews.

Law, cultural expert available for comment Vick indictment raises questions regarding the culture and socialization of professional athletes, NFL discipline, and the challenges of prosecuting celebrity defendants July 18, 2007 -- Bracey "The situation does not look good for Michael Vick and his co-defendants," says Christopher A. Bracey, associate professor of law and of African and African-American studies at Washington University in St. Louis. "Vick's indictment on charges related to dog fighting contains multiple allegations of overt acts, and only one needs to be proven in order to sustain a conviction." Bracey says that this indictment raises a number of cultural and legal questions. He is following the case and is available for interviews.

'It is her word against theirs' Sexism, racism and classism in American society running through the Duke lacrosse case, says criminal procedure expert June 8, 2006 -- Bracey "In the Duke Lacrosse rape case, we have a story of a horrifying gang rape, taking place against the backdrop of the most vulgar aspects of sexism, racism and classism in American society," says Christopher Bracey, J.D., criminal procedure expert and associate professor of law and of African & African American studies at Washington University in St. Louis. "This is why it is so important for District Attorney Michael Nifong to get a handle on this case, and soon." More...

Criminal procedure expert available for commentary Michael Jackson?s defense team provided foundation for an acquittal June 8, 2005 -- Bracey Michael Jackson's defense team came out strong in the final phase of the dramatic trial, according to Christopher Bracey, criminal procedure expert and associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. "The defense was effective in giving the jurors good reason to be skeptical of the prosecution's case. No one can predict with any degree of accuracy what the jury will decide. But based upon the evidentiary phase of this trial, an acquittal certainly seems more likely than a conviction." While the jury reviews the case, Bracey is available to comment on the trial process; how Jackson's celebrity status will shape the jury's consideration of evidence; and the verdict.

Criminal procedure expert available for commentary Star status may impede a fair, impartial Jackson trial March 2, 2005 -- Bracey When it comes to sheer dramatic appeal, the Michael Jackson case has it all. "This trial embodies much of what fuels undying popular fascination with celebrities and the celebrity lifestyle — race, sexual perversion, betrayal, money, power and fame," says Christopher Bracey, criminal procedure expert and associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. "With so much attention directed at this case, selecting a fair and impartial jury may prove difficult. The big question will be whether the jury can look beyond the glare of the celebrity defendant and the potential celebrity witnesses to consider the evidence in this case." As the trial continues, Bracey will remain on the lookout for the ways in which Jackson's celebrity status continues to shape, for better or worse, the style of lawyering, the trial process, jury consideration of evidence, and ultimately the public's perception that justice has been delivered.

Celebrity trials High-profile celebrity trials test lawyers' skills with 'unique set of challenges' Feb. 10, 2004 -- Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department Jury selection will be at issue in the Jackson trial. From Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart and Phil Spector to Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams, celebrity criminal trials continue to be top news items. But as the spotlight on these trials intensifies, attorneys representing celebrities are presented with a unique set of challenges, says Christopher Bracey, an expert in the fields of criminal rights and criminal process and an associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. "Instead of focusing solely on preparing a strong legal defense, these attorneys are dealing with issues such as client management, tainted jury pools and misinformation."

Forced entry U.S. vs. Banks ruling a major victory for law enforcement officers; Supreme Court endorsement of ?no knock? policies 'unsettling,' says expert Dec. 16, 2003 -- Bracey "The Court's decision is a tremendous victory for law enforcement officers," says Christopher Bracey, an expert in the fields of American race relations and criminal procedure and an associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. "The 9th Circuit decision, which was reversed by the Supreme Court, would have required officers to consider a multitude of factors when deciding how long to delay execution of a search warrant following the initial knock on the door." According to Bracey, the only problematic portion of the opinion is the large exception that allows "no knock" forced entries by law officers. "'No knock' policies have been controversial for years in part because, historically, 'no knock' entries lead to increased claims of police brutality and unnecessary property damage."

Judicial activism Judges should be vigilant in their protection of minority interests; take example from 'free jazz' pioneer Coleman Nov. 5, 2003 -- Ornette Coleman, inspiration for successful judging. Although United States laws attempt to safeguard the rights and interests of minorities, the subordination of socially disfavored groups persists in part because of informal structures and networks that have the effect of perpetuating social inequality. Christopher Bracey, an expert in the fields of American race relations and civil rights and associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, says that judges must respond to these destructive patterns of social and economic stratification through their interpretation of the law, or successful judging. In his article, "Adjudication, Antisubordination, and the Jazz Connection" (Alabama Law Review, Vol. 54), Bracey says inspiration on how to realize democracy through judging can be found through the free jazz movement, more specifically, the work of Ornette Coleman.

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Christopher Bracey

Prior to becoming a professor, Bracey clerked for the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and subsequently joined the Washington, D.C. Office of Jenner & Block, where he litigated a variety of civil and criminal matters. Bracey, a magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, received his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he served as a Supervising Editor on the Harvard Law Review, a general editor on the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, and an editor on the Harvard Blackletter Law Journal.

Bracey has delivered lectures and presentations on a variety of topics involving race relations and criminal justice, including "Racial Profiling and the Post-September 11th Arab-American Experience," "The Future of Affirmative Action in Higher Education," "Race, Crime, and Reproductive Rights: The Ferguson v. City of Charleston case," "Diversity in the Legal Profession," "Hate Crime Laws * Symbolic Gesture or Effective Solution," "Black & Blue: Colorable Issues in Race and Law Enforcement," "Economic Empowerment of the Black Community," and "Middle East Dialogue: A Conversation on the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict."