Criminal Justice Clinic
The Criminal Justice Clinic places students directly in the fight for justice, working alongside the St. Louis County office of the Missouri State Public Defender System.
About the Clinic
The Criminal Justice Clinic exposes students to real-life lawyering skills within the criminal justice system, representing adults charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses. Located in the St. Louis County Public Defender Office, students work closely with Professor Peter Joy and experienced public defender attorneys to transition into the role of practicing criminal defense lawyers.
Practical Experience:
- Serve as lead counsel on preliminary hearings, bond hearings, and suppression motions
- Conduct initial appearances and assist with court dockets
- Represent clients in preliminary hearings, bond hearings, and probation revocation hearings
- Handle suppression motions and other pretrial motions for felony cases
- Interview and counsel clients throughout their cases
- Draft briefs, motions, and legal documents
- Engage in strategic case planning
- Sit second chair in major felony cases and participate in misdemeanor trials
Real-World Training
Students work under student practice Rule 13 and are certified to provide competent representation to clients. This immersive experience exposes students to the legal and ethical challenges criminal defense lawyers face daily, while faculty supervision ensures proper guidance as students develop essential lawyering skills in a typical public defender office environment.
