Innocence Project Clinic

LAW 747-01Innocence Project Clinic3 credits
Students in the Innocence Project Clinic will have the opportunity to participate in the legal investigation and research of inmate claims of actual innocence. Using primary sources including police and forensic reports, court pleadings, transcripts, appellate briefs and opinions, students will research and prepare written summaries of the cases referred to the Clinic by the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP). Student analysis of cases will also be used as a basis for MAIP to determine which cases to undertake. Students will have the opportunity to conduct interviews of inmates and possible witnesses, as well as other preparatory case work with private investigators, forensics experts and attorneys. Students may have the opportunity to provide assistance to lawyers handling the representation of MAIP clients. The Clinic's focus will include DNA evidence, investigative activities, and post-conviction remedies and procedures, with in-class simulations. The Clinic is limited to 4 students each semester and is limited to third-year students eligible for Third-year Practice.

 

Foundational:

Evidence
Federal Courts
Trial Advocacy
Virginia Civil Procedure

Supporting:

Administrative Law
Advanced Brief Writing
Advanced Family Law Advocacy
Advanced Research I
Advanced Research II
Alternative Dispute Resolution Survey
American Jury
Conflicts
Constitutional Tort Litigation
Depositions
Discovery-Pretrial
Domestic Violence Clinic
Electronic Discovery and Data Seizures
Electronic Evidence, Expert Testimony, Scientific Evidence*
Entertainment Law Litigation*
General Mediation
Legal Aid Clinic
Legal Technology
Litigation in Civil Law Systems*
Mediation Advocacy
Negotiation & Settlement Advocacy
Objections       
Remedies
Therapeutic Jurisprudence
Technology-Augmented Trial Advocacy
Transnational Litigation*
Trial Strategy and Persuasion
Virginia Criminal Procedure

*courses not offered every year