Post-conviction Clinic

Students in the clinic will learn about the criminal justice process by taking on cases that have already been litigated through conviction and direct appeal. The post-conviction clinic will give students hands-on experience with representing clients seeking relief from their convictions or sentences by means of petitions for post-conviction relief, petitions for habeas corpus, motions for forensic testing, parole and commutation of sentence.

Students who participate in the Post-conviction clinic will:

• Participate in the post-conviction investigation and litigation of criminal cases.
• Produce written work focused on reviewing and analyzing the history of the conviction and the potential reasons for any wrongful conviction, including the role DNA or other newly discovered evidence could play in exonerating the inmate.
• Interview witnesses and clients, locate biological evidence and evaluate whether a given case should be submitted for DNA testing.
• Draft requests for post-conviction DNA testing, petitions for post-conviction relief and petitions for clemency and parole.
• May represent clients in court or before the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency.

Students are expected to spend a minimum of 180 hours in the Clinic during the one semester.

• Fall or Spring Semester – 20 hours per week

Included in those hours is a mandatory seminar class of a minimum of five hours per week.

The Post-Conviction Clinic is a one semester course.

• Credits: six credits (four client component pass/fail and two graded seminar)
• Pre- or Co-Requisite(s): Evidence, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law and Professional Responsibility