Semesters offered: 
Type: Nonprofit
Categories: Criminal Defense
SITE DESCRIPTION
The Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) is a non-profit legal organization dedicated to proving the innocence of the wrongfully convicted through DNA testing, remedying the causes of wrongful convictions, and helping the exonerated rebuild their lives. The Project reviews post-conviction cases to determine whether there is a legitimate claim of innocence that can be proven using newly discovered evidence or newly available forensic testing. GIP then fully re-investigates and ultimately litigates cases.
Externs will work under the supervision of GIP’s Executive Director, and for administrative purposes will report to the project’s Operations Manager. Students will have the opportunity to participate in various stages of post-conviction innocence work, including case intake (screening applications for assistance, pulling appeals, conducting preliminary research), case investigation (open records requests, document review and work product creation, drafting memos, interviewing clients and witnesses) and/or litigation (research/writing and motions practice; hearing preparation; courtroom appearances if certified under the Student Practice Act). Students may also be assigned ad-hoc projects from time to time (e.g., policy-related research projects) at the discretion of the Executive Director.
This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the innocence movement. For more information on the Georgia Innocence Project, visit our website at www.georgiainnocenceproject.org.
STUDENT QUALIFICATIONS
Prerequisites: Students must be tenacious, detail-oriented, good writers, and receptive to giving and receiving feedback. Coursework in criminal or appellate procedure is a plus.
NO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS