California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic
The California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic (IJC) (formerly known as California Innocence Project) provides high-caliber representation to individuals who are wrongfully convicted with a goal of securing their release from prison. Through this representation, IJC trains the next generation of attorneys, giving them hands-on experience so they learn to be zealous advocates. IJC uses innocence cases as a lens to illuminate the myriad problems within our criminal legal system, with the hope that we can work towards a system that is more just.
California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic Relaunch
Professor Amy Kimpel joined California Western School of Law in July 2024 as the new Executive Director of the California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic. Professor Kimpel will build upon the strong foundations of the clinic, continuing its work to free the innocent while preparing students for careers in criminal law and beyond.
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Academic Year 2024-2025
We are excited to offer California Western students the opportunity to participate in the Innocence Clinic for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students will have an opportunity to enroll in the year-long Innocence Clinic and receive a total of 8 credits (4 units of academic credit for the fall term, 4 units of academic credit for the spring term.) Students graduating in the fall may request to particpate in the fall term only. The clinic will include a 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.
Freeing the Innocent
Apply for Legal ServicesClients 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.
To apply for legal assistance, fill out this application and return it to us by mail.
IJC has a waitlist and it can take months or even years to review each request for
legal assistance. We appreciate your patience.
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.
Support the California Western Innocence and Justice Clinic
Give NowYour contributions aid in our mission to provide high-caliber representation to individuals who are wrongfully convicted with a goal of securing their release from prison while training the next generation of attorneys to be zealous advocates.
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?
San Diego, CA 92101