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The mission of the California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic (IJC) (formerly known as California Innocence Project) is to train law students to become zealous advocates and to provide students the opportunity to assist in freeing the wrongly convicted from prison. Since 1999, California Western School of Law has helped free forty innocent people from prison. As a CWSL student there are many ways for you to be involved and gain real world experience!
California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic Relaunch
In anticipation of the exciting arrival of Professor Amy Kimpel as the new Executive Director of the California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic in July 2024, the clinic is on a temporary hiatus and has paused the provision of services. Professor Kimpel will build upon the strong foundation of the clinic, continuing its work to free the innocent while preparing students for careers in criminal law and beyond.
Please check back for updates about the program and direct any questions in the meantime to JavaScript Required.
Summer 2024
We are excited to offer California Western students the opportunity to participate in the Innocence Clinic in Summer 2024. Students will receive 4 units of academic credit for the seminar and clinical components. Students will work alongside experienced post-conviction attorneys to seek the release of wrongfully convicted prisoners in California.
Making an impact
Since its inception, IJC has been involved in changing laws and policies in California related to preserving evidence, litigating innocence cases, and compensating exonerees.
40
Wrongfully incarcerated clients freed
2,000
Innocence claims by inmates reviewed by interns a year
1999
California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic (formerly known as California Innocence Project) established at CWSL
Freeing the Innocent
Clients of the California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic (formerly known as California Innocence Project) have spent 570 years in prison due to wrongful convictions. While they cannot get those years back, they are now embarking on a future with freedom.
XONR8® Join the Movement
Purpose
The purpose of XONR8® is to create interest and awareness about wrongful convictions in the legal community. Wrongful convictions happen in every community across the world. The California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic is based at California Western School of Law, thus it has the ability to gather students, professors, and lawyers to teach and learn about the causes of wrongful convictions. XONR8® does this through the use of speakers, class sessions taught by practicing attorneys, and field trips to various places involved in the criminal justice process.
Events
XONR8® officers organize and arrange several events throughout the year. Examples of typical events might be a screening of a film focused on wrongful convictions followed by a discussion, an educational seminar, or a debate on the death penalty where attendees hear from individuals involved in the death penalty process. XONR8® also organizes networking events for students, lawyers, and other individuals who are interested in criminal justice reform and wrongful convictions.
California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic
Want to know more about the incredible work at IJC, how you can help fund the clinic’s work, or discover how you can join IJC once you are a student at California Western?