Criminal Defense Clinic

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Students in the Criminal Defense Clinic represent indigent individuals using client-centered advocacy in court, depositions, and negotiations.

Criminal Defense Clinic

The Criminal Defense Clinic is a semester-long course. Students enrolled in the Criminal Defense Clinic represent indigent clients in criminal matters. Students learn and apply lawyering skills such as interviewing, client counseling, negotiation, fact investigation, legal research and writing, oral advocacy, and trial preparation. Additionally, students learn to work collaboratively, practice self-regulated learning and self-reflection, synthesize facts and legal principles, and develop transferable lawyering skills. Students also can appear in court for hearings, such as arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, sentencing hearings, and trial. Through the seminar and casework, students have numerous opportunities to explore systemic problems in the criminal legal system. Students participate in a weekly seminar and at least one weekly meeting with their supervisor.

Requirements:
Evidence (Law 113) and Ethics and Professional Responsibility (Law 114) as pre or co-requisites. Limited to students who have completed three semesters or more of law school and are eligible to receive a student practice license in Iowa. This clinic cannot be taken simultaneously with the Prosecutorial Internship.

Advanced Criminal Defense Clinic

Students who have successfully completed the Criminal Defense Clinic (LAW 502) may take this course with faculty permission to continue work in the Criminal Defense Clinic for an additional semester. The number of credits is to be determined by the student and the faculty supervisor.

Faculty

Colleen Cullen, Associate Professor of Law
colleen.cullen@drake.edu

For Prospective Clients:

The Criminal Defense Clinic only works with court appointed cases. Calling or walking into the clinic will not assist you in becoming a legal clinic client.

If you need criminal representation, you must request a public defender, either immediately after being arrested and taken to jail for booking or at some point shortly thereafter. You also have to fill out the state’s paperwork to qualify for a public defender.