Penn State
Lewis Katz Building, University Park, PA
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Criminal Appellate & Post Conviction Services Clinic

The Criminal Appellate & Post-Conviction Services Clinic   allows students to represent indigent criminal defendants in appellate and post-conviction proceedings. Students learn litigation, appellate brief writing, negotiation and advocacy skills.

HOW DOES THE CRIMINAL APPELLATE & POST-CONVICTION SERVICES CLINIC OPERATE?

Students enroll for a full academic year beginning in a fall semester.  Students will work collaboratively on criminal appellate cases (including amicus briefs and petitions to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court) as well as various post-conviction matters. The post-conviction matters will involve reviews of relevant case law as well as the factual underpinnings of various criminal cases. Students may also assist state prison inmates in their applications for commutation of their sentences. The work will involve some transportation to the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte and to various local prison facilities.

HOW MANY STUDENTS MAY ENROLL EACH SEMESTER?

The Criminal Appellate & Post-Conviction Track accepts two students per year.

ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES OR CO-REQUISITES?

Student must have completed at least 43 semester credits overall and have successfully completed Professional Responsibility and Evidence.

HOW ARE STUDENTS EVALUATED?

Evaluation will be based on the supervising attorney’s assessment of students’ achievement in tasks and assignments undertaken during the semester, effort and success in interacting with collaborators, class participation, and analytical and professional skills.