| CRIMINAL JUSTICE CLINIC Defense and Prosecution Advocacy |
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The Criminal Justice Clinic is designed to teach student attorneys about the theory and practice of advocacy in the criminal and juvenile justice systems with the knowledge that these skills apply to lawyering in many other settings. The clinic practices in Maryland. The clinic offers opportunities for second and third year students to participate in defense or prosecution, and in some cases, both. Defense semester: Most clients of the clinic face charges in Montgomery County, although we sometimes represent clients with charges in other Maryland counties. Under the close supervision of a faculty supervisor, student attorneys are responsible for all aspects of their cases, from initial legal research to trial and post-trial motions. Student attorneys experience many aspects of representing clients, including developing a case theory, interviewing cooperative and recalcitrant witnesses, researching the law, negotiating with prosecutors, writing and arguing motions, and conducting hearings. In addition, some student attorneys represent clients whose cases go to trial. Even those cases that are resolved short of trial provide opportunities for extensive client contact and fact investigation. Student attorneys work in teams of two and meet weekly with their faculty supervisor to discuss their cases. They also meet weekly as a group in a two hour seminar and one hour case rounds that focus on client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation and case theory, as well the strategy, tactics and ethics of criminal defense work. Prosecution semester: Student attorneys spend one day each week in a Maryland court (in either Montgomery County or other counties near D.C.) where they are supervised by a prosecutor. They meet with an adjunct professor in individual tutorial sessions and in a three hour weekly seminar to discuss trial advocacy and issues such as prosecutorial ethics and systemic pressures on prosecutors. Student attorneys are involved in trying cases, negotiating plea agreements, and handling the day's docket. This experience helps them become comfortable with public speaking and courtroom advocacy. Student attorneys without cars are placed in Montgomery County (Rockville or Silver Spring), which is Metro accessible. Other student attorneys must be willing to be placed in any of the available placements and to commute at least an hour from the law school to their placements because some are located a distance from the law school. Options for students: 3L’s -- Third year students can preference either a one year or a one semester option, although students may be limited to one semester in order to make clinic available to more students. Thus, we encourage students who are interested in a year-long clinic to indicate a semester preference as well. Students who enroll in clinic for a year can spend one semester defending juvenile and criminal cases and one semester prosecuting such cases, or can spend both semesters on the defense side. Third years also can opt for a single semester of either defense or prosecution, in either the fall or the spring. 2L’s -- Second year students can opt for a full year of defense, or one semester of clinic, either defense or prosecution, during the spring semester. It is often possible for second year students who participate in CJC for one semester to complete a second semester of clinic during their third year. |
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