Information for Students

Credit: 6 credits each semester—2 for classroom component and 4 for casework—for a total of 12 credit hours for the academic year.

Grading: This course is graded.

Semesters Offered:This is a full-year course. Students are selected for the clinic must register for both fall and spring Semesters.

Description

The Criminal Defense Clinic is dedicated to serving the Lubbock community by representing defendants in criminal cases who would otherwise be unable to afford their own legal representation. The Criminal Defense Clinic recognizes that being accused of a crime is a difficult circumstance for an individual and his or her loved ones. At every stage of a case, the Clinic's goal is to provide zealous, client-centered representation. The Criminal Defense Clinic emphasizes the importance of social issues relevant to criminal defense, such as the intersection of poverty, race and crime, the increasing importance of immigration concerns in the criminal defense context, and the Supreme Court cases affecting the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendment rights of criminal defendants.

Students accepted into this clinic will have the opportunity to represent clients facing felony, misdemeanor and juvenile offenses in Lubbock County. By the end of each semester each student will have represented at least 4 clients. Students are fully responsible for their cases, from intake to disposition. Usually, students begin their cases with jail consultations. Students go to the jail to meet with newly arrested clients and argue for their release on bond. Students then investigate their client's case, develop a case strategy, and negotiate with a prosecuting attorney about possible plea bargains. Students may have the opportunity to represent their clients at a jury trial, where students pick the jury, make opening statements and closing arguments, and direct and cross-examine witnesses. Through their case work, students are able to learn first-hand about the many dimensions of the client-lawyer relationship, from the initial interview, to case investigation, to final resolution of the criminal charges. Student are supervised at all stages of their cases by Professor Patrick S. Metze and Clinic Fellow Dwight McDonald. The Clinic works closely with members of the local and state bars to expose students to professional development, networking, and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities while still in law school.

The classroom component of the Clinic focuses on skills development, ethics, and case strategy, and is taught by Professor Patrick S. Metze. Students also have the opportunity to hone their writing skills by drafting a multitude of motions and briefs relating to their cases.

Selection Process

A mandatory information session for students interested in participating in the Clinical Programs is held in late January or early February of each year. Information is provided by the Clinic Directors regarding each individual clinic, as well as the process for student selection. Students interested in applying to one or more clinics are instructed to complete the required documents and application on or before the deadline announced during the information session. Documents to be attached include the clinic application (indicating which clinics you are applying to), resume with references, unofficial transcript, and a two-page narrative (for each individual clinic you are applying to) indicating why you are interested in a particular clinic. All clinics are by invitation only. Applications are reviewed by the Clinic Directors. Some Clinic Directors may conduct interviews (some may not depending on the demand), and offers are made to students by the Clinic Directors with a deadline for you to accept the offer. During open registration, the Registrar's office enrolls you for the clinic. You will not be able to enroll yourself.

Required Prerequisites

• Must be a third year law student.
• Must not be on academic probation. Should a student be placed on academic probation during his or time in the clinic, he or she will be withdrawn from the clinic.

Recommended Prerequisites

• Criminal Procedure, Professional Responsibility, Evidence, Texas Criminal Procedure, Trial Advocacy, and/or Mock Trial or Moot Court.

Conflicts

• Students may not be concurrently enrolled in this clinic and another clinic or externship.
• Students may not have outside employment if enrolled in this course.
• Students may not sit for the February bar exam.

Enrollment is by application and invitation only.