Student FAQs

What is the Innocence & Justice Clinic?

The I & J Clinic is a new clinical program launched by Wake Forest in Spring 2009 that provides students with the opportunity to explore the interdisciplinary causes of wrongful convictions while giving students the hands-on experience of investigating actual claims of innocence by inmates.

What are the topics covered by the course?

The two hour seminar component of the course covers such topics as: mistaken eyewitness identification; false confessions; the role of forensic DNA testing; "junk" science; ineffective assistance of counsel; post-conviction remedies for innocence claims; the use of "jailhouse snitches" and cooperating witnesses; police and prosecutorial misconduct; policy and legislative reforms; innocence and the death penalty; re-entry programs and post-conviction remedies.

Is the Clinic only for students who want to practice in the criminal justice system?

Absolutely not. Students gain strong analytical skills as they study the myriad of causes for wrongful convictions. The process of reviewing and investigating cases will provide students with practical lawyering skills that are transferable to any law office practice. Moreover, law offices are intrigued by the work conducted by wrongful convictions programs and will appreciate your commitment to improving the justice system.

What skills will students acquire from taking the Clinic?

The way the Clinic operates, students will be placed in teams and assigned actual cases to investigate where inmates are claiming innocence. Students will have an opportunity to review criminal files, interact with police investigators, contact prosecuting attorneys, gather documentation, prepare legal documents and memos, and apply critical legal skills to a client’s case. Students will meet with faculty to discuss the ongoing progress of their cases and what needs to be accomplished to further the review and investigation of the inmate’s claim of innocence.

How many credits are allotted for the course?

It is a one semester course that is four credits.

How many hours a week should I expect to devote to the Clinic?

Students should expect to work 8 to 10 hours in the Clinic and that is in addition to the two hour seminar.

Are there pre-requisites for the Clinic?

There are no prerequisites for taking the Clinic, although students must take Criminal Procedure as a co-requisite if they have not already taken the course.

Does this course satisfy the Practice Skills Requirement?

Yes.

How is the course graded?

There is no final exam in this course. Grading will be based on attendance and participation, handling of clients’ cases and clinic matters, and a 5 to 7 page research paper that addresses a topic that relates to wrongful convictions. Students are invited to design their own topic for the paper with faculty approval.

How does the Clinic get cases?

Generally, cases reviewed and investigated by the Clinic student are referred to us by the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence. The Center is a non-profit organization that investigates claims of innocence by inmates in the State. The Center oversees the seven law schools in North Carolina that have Innocence Project programs and provide us with a steady flow of cases in addition to administrative support.

Does this course have a relationship to the Wake Innocence Project?

The Wake Innocence Project is a separately run student-led organization. In addition to reviewing and investigating claims of innocence by inmates, the IP has expanded their mission to include: assisting associates seeking help from The Darryl Hunt Project for Freedom and Justice; organizing inmate book drives; establishing a speaker series where issues related to wrongful convictions are discussed; and engaging in community-related activities that raise awareness of actual innocence claims. The IP also receives cases from the NC Center on Actual Innocence and Prof. Turowski is the faculty advisor to the program.