Criminal Appeals

About the Section

Student practitioners in the Criminal Appeals section will represent indigent individuals convicted of felony offenses in state court on their direct appeals to the intermediate appellate court. They will participate in the appellate litigation process, typically from start to finish, from the lodging of the record on appeal through motions practice, the filing of briefs, oral argument, and any post-argument briefing. Clinic students will learn the substantive law, procedure, and advocacy skills needed to effectively represent their clients in the appellate context. As part of their experience, they will build a professional relationship with their incarcerated clients, which will include visits to confer with them in custody. The cases may involve a wide range of offenses, including the most serious crimes. Students in this section will also think about how to position their clients for future success if subsequent litigation is ultimately needed. They may also collaborate with the Criminal Defense sections on writ litigation or post-trial litigation support, and may contribute to broader efforts to rectify recurring and systemic issues that compromise the rights of criminal defendants.