Yes
The Innocence Clinic is taking new cases at this time.
The USD Law Innocence Clinic is a collaborative effort between USD Legal Clinics and The Innocence Center, an independent law firm. Under the supervision of an attorney from The Innocence Center, students represent incarcerated clients by investigating claims of wrongful conviction and handling cases from investigation through litigation, including drafting and filing motions, engaging in general litigation, and participating in prison visits.
The Innocence Clinic cases are referred to us from The innocence Center. Individuals seeking assistance for wrongful convictions should contact (619) 928-2856 or info@theinnocencecenter.org.
What Does the Innocence Clinic Do?
- Cases referred to the USD Legal Clinics by the independent non-profit law firm The Innocence Center that is dedicated to educating the public on the causes of wrongful convictions.
Spring 2026 Innocence Clinic Award Winner
Working at the Innocence Clinic as a Student
At this time, the Innocence Clinic is only offered during the spring semester.
The Innocence Clinic is open to second, third- and fourth-year law students who have taken Wrongful Convictions. Students are selected through an interview process. Under the supervision of Professor Brooks and lawyers from The Innocence Center, students represent incarcerated clients by investigating claims of wrongful conviction and engaging in post-conviction litigation. Throughout the semester, students work on case development, including developing investigation plans, summarizing documents, meeting with clients, and presenting cases. Students also draft and file motions, write briefs, engage in legal research and writing, participate in prison visits as appropriate, and assist with general litigation tasks.
The weekly required class is a seminar focused on wrongful convictions, post-conviction litigation, investigation techniques, ethics, and relevant substantive law, and may include guest speakers with expertise in innocence work.
Prerequisites
- Evidence
- Criminal Procedure
- Wrongful Convictions
Prerequisites or Corequisites
- Evidence
Recommended
- Criminal Procedure I
- Criminal Procedure II