Innocence & Justice Clinic
Overview
Through participation in the Innocence & Justice Clinics, students learn about the causes of wrongful convictions while applying this knowledge to the investigation of cases where evidence can prove a client’s innocence. Educate, Exonerate, Instigate.
Core Components
- Weekly one-on-one case meetings
- 8-10 hours of case work per week (minimum 110 case work hours)
The Work
- Review correspondence, applications from inmates
- Contact defense attorneys, DAs to obtain documents, evidence
- Interview clients in prisons
- Investigate crime scenes, interview witnesses
- Litigate motions
- For DNA testing
- For discovery
- Substantive Motions for Appropriate Relief
- Federal Habeas
- Clemency Proceedings
Clinic Director
Mark Rabil
Since the Innocence & Justice Clinic’s Founding in 2009
- Over 2,000 cases reviewed
- 20+ cases in litigation (post-conviction motions in state and federal courts, parole hearings, gubernatorial clemency proceedings)
- 300+ former I&J students, including more than a dozen prosecutors, working for justice around the country