Students
One of the primary objectives of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project is to engage students in all of the area law schools, as well as other undergraduate and graduate programs such as forensic science and journalism, in the work of freeing the wrongfully convicted. With a trained volunteer supervisor, students are the ones screening, evaluating and, in some cases, investigating claims of innocence.
Law students volunteering outside of a clinical or externship program are needed to help screen and evaluate cases at Stage 2—evaluating claims of innocence. Students who have attended a 1-hour training session will receive a case for evaluation and are expected to complete the evaluation by the end of the school year. All students must check in with the office every 2 weeks to update us on the progress of your case. When an evaluation is completed, students are welcome to take on another assignment.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact their department chairpersons to seek out an internship with the Project.
To start volunteering with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project you just have to attend our periodic 1-hour volunteer training session. We will be having these trainings at least every 3 months throughout the year. If you contact the office, we will notify you when the next training session is.
Clinical and Externship Opportunities:
The Pennsylvania Innocence Project is proud to be the sponsor of a joint clinical/externship program with Temple University Beasley School of Law, Villanova University School of Law, Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Each semester, students from each campus have the opportunity to attend intensive academic classes focusing on issues in innocence law and learn from some of the nation’s leaders in the field. In addition, each student will be assigned to work on actual cases of inmates claiming innocence. Students will be involved in developing new evidence, investigating innocence claims, interviewing witnesses and obtaining supporting affidavits, arranging for new forensic testing or expert review, preparing motions and briefs for court, and attending court proceedings whenever possible.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project or in participating in one of our clinical or externship programs, please send an e-mail to innocenceprojectpa@temple.edu. |
