Judith Ritter

Judith Ritter is a Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at Widener University. She holds a B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

• Education: B.A. (1976) from SUNY Buffalo; J.D. (1979) from Georgetown Law.

Ritter specializes in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Post-Conviction Remedies, focusing on judicial oversight of prosecutorial decisions, wrongful convictions, and habeas corpus rights. Her work bridges doctrinal analysis with criminal justice reform.

Her recent publications examine prosecutorial discretion, juror comprehension, and clinical legal education. Notable works include critiques of judicial interpretations of the Antiterrorism Act and analyses of adult self-image in clinical law students.

She founded Widener's Criminal Defense Clinic in 1995, which provides representation to indigent defendants. Ritter practices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and emphasizes critical thinking about legal systems in her teaching.