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August 18 - 24, 2002 |
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Students Learning Legal Skills Through John Marshall's Criminal Justice Clinic
Eileen Halpin, associate director of the Criminal Justice Clinic, prepares for a visit with an inmate at the Cook County Jail. The clinic's interns have examined claims from more than 200 prisoners in Illinois since the clinic was founded in 2000.
Student interns at The John Marshall Law School are taking their book knowledge and applying it to real cases through their work at the school's Criminal Justice Clinic.
The clinic examines cases of prisoners who have exhausted their appellate remedies and are now pursuing other post-conviction options. Since the clinic was organized in 2000, students have responded to inquiries from more than 200 prisoners who claim they have been wrongfully convicted.
Students are involved in every step of the process, from the first inquiries to review of documents, and then prison visits with the inmates.
"Being involved in the clinic is one response to the law students' desires to defend the weak against the powerful; to be the voice of the disenfranchised; and to seek justice for those who would otherwise be forgotten," said Professor Ralph Ruebner, founder and executive director of the clinic. "This, they know, is their profession's noblest ideal and highest calling."
Before joining the John Marshall faculty, Ruebner was an appellate litigator and head of the Chicago office of the State Appellate Defender where he represented indigent criminal defendants at all levels of appellate review.
Ruebner, John Marshall Professor Timothy O'Neill who teaches criminal law, and Eileen Halpin, a 1999 John Marshall alumna who is the clinic's associate director and clinical professor, help students examine Illinois' penal system as they wade through the stories of Illinois' prisoners who believe they are innocent or have been wronged.
"First, we have to check out the facts of the case," Professor Halpin explains. "There can be mountains of paperwork for each case. Going through the records helps students understand the role of the police and investigators, the steps of a trial, how the arguments were developed, and ultimately, what the argument was for an appeal."
If, on initial review, there appears to be cause for review, students will examine trial records, evidence, appellate briefs and opinions. The students communicate with the prisoners, their families and former counsel. They also can investigate new facts and leads and conclude whether the claims are worthy of further remedies.
Ruebner said the clinic's actions have resulted in pending petitions for new trials in Cook and DuPage Counties based on DNA testing and the incompetence of trial counsel; and a clemency petition on a claim of innocence sent to Illinois Governor George Ryan.
Halpin remembers her clinical experiences at John Marshall's Fair Housing Legal Clinic as a true learning experience. Now she hopes to offer students the same benefit through the Criminal Justice Clinic.
"This is a lot more than TV law. That visit to a prison can be eerie for them. And it can be tough knowing that their work is the last strand of hope for these inmates," Halpin said.
The work of the Criminal Justice Clinic has won support in the legal community, and has an active advisory board that includes its chair, former Cook County Circuit Court Judge Sheila Murphy. Joining her are board members Seymour Simon, former Illinois Supreme Court justice, and attorney Roger Kiley of Mayer Brown & Platt.
Halpin invites interested attorneys to learn more about the clinic, or volunteer to give their time assisting students reviewing files, by contacting her at (312) 987- 2356.
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Student Lockers Undergoing Renovation
The John Marshall Law School is renovating all student lockers in "the pit" this September and formalizing the rental process.
More than 150 new lockers will be added by replacing the tall, narrow ones with shorter but wider double-tier lockers and repairing broken doors. Existing double-tier lockers will be repainted. All lockers will be re-numbered, so that each locker has a unique number and aisle numbers can be eliminated. Also, John Marshall will supply padlocks, which will be rented along with lockers. The renovations may be completed as early as September 16th.
Both renewal and new rental requests will be filled on a first-in, first-out basis. JMLS will assign students to lockers. Fill out the new locker rental form and submit it to the Business Office on 3M as soon as you can for the best chance to get a locker. These forms should be available by August 16th.
If your current locker rental agreement expires after July 2002, you still need to re-register using the new form in the Business Office on 3M.
If you're in a locker now, you must empty it and remove your padlock by no later than Friday August 23rd.
Be advised: on Monday, Aug. 26th, John Marshall will cut locks off, and remove contents from, occupied lockers. Property recovery will only be allowed with sufficient proof of ownership.
Unclaimed property from lockers will be disposed of beginning September 30th.
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Student Activities
August 19
Used Book Sale - 11am to 7pm, room 216
Please plan to join the Black Law Student Association for its "Meet and Greet". Details will follow.
Mark your calendar:
September 3 - 1st Tuesday at Monday's Restaurant
September 6 - Back to School Party
September 18 - 4 to 6pm: Student Organization Day
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Faculty Activity and Publications
Professor John D. Ingram
Publications
His article, "Liability of Insurers for Negligence in Inspection of Insured Premises," was published recently in 50 Drake L. Rev. 623 (2002).
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Schedule of Events
August 19
- Center for International Business and Trade Law Reception, CBA Building, 16th Floor, 4:00 p.m.
- Scholarship Donor Reception, Room 1200B, 4:00 p.m.
August 21
- Law Consortium for Palestinian Legal Education Meeting, Room 1203, 4:00 p.m.
- Moot Court Council Meeting, Room 3East, 5:00 p.m.
August 22
- Cook County State's Attorneys Office Deposition Training, Room 1200, 3East, 9:00 a.m.
August 23
- Cook County State's Attorneys Office Deposition Training, Room 1200, 3East, 9:00 a.m.
August 24
- Cook County State's Attorneys Office Deposition Training, Room 1200, 3East, 9:00 a.m.
August 26
- Marketing Meeting, Room 1203, 2:00 p.m.
August 29
- Development & Alumni Welcome Reception - Living with a Law Student, Room 3East, 5:30 p.m.