Categories: Criminal Law Public Interest Law Law Practice Skills

Instructor(s)

Prosser, Mary

Course Data

Pass/Fail: Yes

Course Description

A "law-in-action" course that provides students with an opportunity to develop interviewing, analytical, writing, and problem-solving abilities, as well as an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system. Students interview prison inmates to determine whether there are aspects of the person's conviction, current institutional situation, or relationship with the outside world, that need the assistance of a legally trained person. Under clinical faculty supervision, students then provide assistance as appropriate, including drafting and arguing motions in court.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to:
1. Take responsibility for identifying and achieving client goals.
2. Develop proficiency in factual investigation, issue spotting, and legal research and writing, including advocacy and client communication.
3. Learn to collaborate with clients, other students, supervisors, and other actors in the criminal justice system.
4. Recognize ethical issues and resolve or respond to them within the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
5. Begin to engage in self-assessment and reflection about the clinical work, the role of the lawyer, and the criminal justice system.

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