We use law students to do the factual investigation in cases that our Screening Committee has determined may present demonstrable claims of innocence.  This investigation can involve anything from searching for lost evidence to interviewing witnesses to talking to former counsel or family members.  Students typically work within established student groups at their law school, supervised by professors or by volunteer attorneys from the community.  Our currently participating law schools are: American University’s Washington College of Law; Georgetown University Law Center; UDC’s David E. Clarke School of Law; University of Virginia School of Law; Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law; and Washington and Lee School of Law.  We would welcome the participation of other regional law schools as well.  Please contact us if you are interested in forming a student group at a school other than those listed above.

We also use students as interns or externs for a semester or a summer.  We will consider law students or college students for this role.  Although we are unable to pay, we are happy to give students valuable experience in helping us to run all aspects of our office, from corresponding with prisoners to evaluating cases to assisting with policy work and fundraising.   

If you are a college student or a law student and are interested in volunteering in any of these capacities, please e-mail us at innocenceproject@wcl.american.edu and we will put you in touch with the group at your school.  If you attend one of the following law schools, you can also contact your school group directly at one of the following e-mail addresses:

American University, Washington College of Law
WCLinnocenceproject@hotmail.com

Georgetown University Law Center
innocenceproj@law.georgetown.edu

University of Virginia School of Law
vips_board@virginia.edu