Wrongful Convictions Clinic
The Wrongful Convictions Clinic investigates North Carolina prisoners’ claims of actual innocence and wrongful conviction. Students typically work in teams of two on one inmate’s case, but all students participate in “case rounds,” where the facts and investigative strategy of each case are analyzed by the full group. Among other things, students meet with the inmate, read and digest trial transcripts, interview witnesses, consult with experts, and prepare investigative and legal strategies. The seminar component of the Clinic examines the principal problems that lead to the conviction of the innocent and the leading proposals for reform. The topics covered include mistaken eyewitness identification, false confessions, faulty forensic evidence, the role of forensic DNA testing, post-conviction remedies for innocence claims, the use of “jailhouse snitches” and other cooperating witnesses, incompetent defense counsel, and police and prosecutorial misconduct. The seminar meets twice weekly during the first month or of the semester and then less regularly throughout the rest of the semester, when individual team meetings increase. Students are required to perform a minimum of 100 hours of legal work during the semester.
Clinics Enrollment Policy
IMPORTANT:
This course may not be dropped after the first class meeting.
Students MUST be able to attend the day-long clinic intensive training session to enroll in this course.
Please note that course organization and content may vary substantially from semester to semester and descriptions are not necessarily professor specific. Please contact the instructor directly if you have particular course-related questions.