The Gail Anderson Cañizares Innocence Clinic

4 credits · Law School

Students in the Innocence Clinic evaluate cases of possible wrongful conviction, conduct investigations to develop new evidence of innocence, and represent clients in post-conviction litigation. At the early stages of case evaluation, students review trial transcripts, trial-level discovery, additional law enforcement records, the direct appeal record, and the initial post-conviction record. When a case is approved for investigation, students map out an investigation plan, gather additional records, consult with forensic experts, and interview witnesses. In appropriate cases, students draft, file, and argue motions for DNA or other forensic testing. When sufficient new evidence of innocence is developed, students represent clients in post-conviction litigation to overturn the wrongful conviction. Through weekly clinic classes, students obtain a foundation in the causes of wrongful conviction and Tennessee post-conviction procedure. Clinic classes also focus on skill-building, including sessions on interviewing witnesses, drafting affidavits, obtaining documents through open records laws, and creating strong factual narratives in legal writing. Note: This clinic requires that students attend a "boot camp" to be scheduled on the weekend prior to the start of classes. Note: A "no drop" policy will be in place once students have registered. Only the individual clinic professor can grant a waiver of this policy. Prerequisite/Corequisite: LAW 8000 Actual Innocence. Enrollment limited. [4]