NCIP at Santa Clara University School of Law is one of only three innocence organizations in California. No other law school in Northern California, and few other law schools in the country, offers students the experience of working directly with attorneys and forensic experts to free wrongfully convicted prisoners. This year, the clinic provided particularly rich opportunities for students to be involved in the litigation and negotiation process, with five exonerations in the last 10 months. The past year also gave students unique opportunities to be involved in legislative change and then to use that change to exonerate clients.
The mission of the Northern California Innocence Project is to promote a fair, effective, and compassionate criminal justice system and to promote the rights of the innocent. We are proud to offer a unique educational experience to SCU law students in the spirit of that mission.
This spring, the NCIP clinic wrapped up an amazing academic year. Special thanks to all 13 of the NCIP clinic students who contributed to our case and policy victories over the last academic year:
Hilary Blamey
Tayler Davis
Kelsey LaPorte
Amanda Lee
German Llamas
Brennan McGee
James Mulgannon
Elizabeth (Ashley) Naff
Marinna Radloff
Rachel Salata
Maria Sokova
Jonathan Stephenson
Caroline Trainor
We wish the best of luck to the 3L NCIP clinic students who are graduating and taking the Bar Exam in July.
Fifty one students applied to be a part of the clinic next year (approximately 10% of students in the Santa Clara University School of Law 1L and 2L classes). After assessing applications, and conducting interviews and a writing exercise, NCIP accepted 15 law students into the program for the 18-19 academic year. We look forward to working with another amazing class of law students in the year ahead.
