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.
Students volunteering outside of a clinical or externship program are needed to help screen and evaluate cases at Stage 1—that is reviewing letters from inmates who are seeking our help. Stage 1 screenings are a brief commitment—generally 1-2 hours at a time. Students can volunteer just once, or set up regular times to screen cases. It is up to the individual.
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 and Villanova University School of Law. Each semester, 8 students from Temple and 4 from Villanova have the opportunity to attend intensive academic classes surrounding issues of 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. |
