The Criminal Justice Clinic is a law school clinical course in which students provide outstanding legal representation to defendants charged with misdemeanors while participating in a rich experiential and classroom learning program.
Students in the Criminal Justice Clinic represent defendants in misdemeanor cases in the District of Columbia Superior Court and prisoners in parole revocation proceedings before the U.S. Parole Commission. Charges typically include assault, destruction of property, drug possession, prostitution, theft, threats, and unlawful entry. Guided by the faculty and fellows, students in the clinic learn the judgment, knowledge of the law, and skills required for effective client-centered representation. Through reading assignments, mock hearings, reflection, and actual representation, students learn how to develop a case theory and the skills needed for outstanding representation: investigation and witness interviews, interviewing and counseling clients, negotiating with prosecutors and other actors in the system. Through practice in class and in actual trials, they develop the skills needed for litigation: motions practice, opening statements, cross-examination, direct examination, and closing argument.
Washington Post story highlining the work of clinic students and fellows seeking compassionate release for this clients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Criminal Justice Clinic and Criminal Defense and Prisoner Advocacy Clinic have significantly expanded their work on compassionate release cases – successfully freeing over a dozen prisoners who were especially at-risk of exposure to COVID-19 as the virus rampaged through prison systems. Initially represented by clinic faculty and the E. Barrett Prettyman Fellows – and now represented by clinic students – these clients have finally returned to their families and communities after years of incarceration.