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Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project

Future Offerings

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar offers an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies in California and across the country. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. The Project has been intimately involved in the criminal law reform movement, partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Obama administration on different projects. Students enrolled in the seminar quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft pleadings on our clients' behalf. The Project is an active, fast-paced organization that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and to hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1 hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1136

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2023-2024 Spring ( )
  • Tue
  • Room: LAW 355

Past Offerings

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar offers an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies in California and across the country. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. The Project has been intimately involved in the criminal law reform movement, partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Obama administration on different projects. Students enrolled in the seminar quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft pleadings on our clients' behalf. The Project is an active, fast-paced organization that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and to hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1 hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1142

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2023-2024 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2023-2024 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation (2008): This seminar offers an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies in California and across the country. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. The Project has been intimately involved in the criminal law reform movement, partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Obama administration on different projects. Students enrolled in the seminar quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft pleadings on our clients' behalf. The Project is an active, fast-paced organization that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and to hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1 hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1128

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2022-2023 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2022-2023 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation (2008): This seminar offers an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies in California and across the country. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. The Project has been intimately involved in the criminal law reform movement, partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Obama administration on different projects. Students enrolled in the seminar quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft pleadings on our clients' behalf. The Project is an active, fast-paced organization that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and to hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1 hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1162

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2022-2023 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2022-2023 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation (2008): This seminar offers an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation in state and federal courts on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In many ways, the era of mass incarceration began in California with the enactment of the "Three Strikes and You're Out" sentencing law in 1994. Today, California leads political and policy trends in the opposite direction with a number of critical reforms to the state's criminal legal system. Some of the momentum shift began with students in the Three Strikes Project, who have helped overturn a record number of life sentences and contributed to critical reforms to California sentencing law. In this course students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies in California and across the country. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. Students also have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research, public policy reform. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. The Project has been intimately involved in the movement to reduce incarceration in California and throughout the country, partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Obama administration on different projects including direct legislative reform, impact litigation, executive clemency, and prisoner reentry. Students enrolled in the seminar quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft petitions on our clients' behalf. The Project is an active, fast-paced organization that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and to hone practical litigation and advocacy skills in and out of the courtroom. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1 hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. CONSENT APPLICATION: Interested students must apply to enroll in the seminar by sending a one-page statement of interest and resume by email with the subject line "application" to Michael Romano (mromano@stanford.edu). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments.

Sections

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1124

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2021-2022 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2021-2022 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation (2008): This seminar offers an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation in state and federal courts on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In many ways, the era of mass incarceration began in California with the enactment of the "Three Strikes and You're Out" sentencing law in 1994. Today, California leads political and policy trends in the opposite direction with a number of critical reforms to the state's criminal legal system. Some of the momentum shift began with students in the Three Strikes Project, who have helped overturn a record number of life sentences and contributed to critical reforms to California sentencing law. In this course students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies in California and across the country. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. Students also have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research, public policy reform. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. The Project has been intimately involved in the movement to reduce incarceration in California and throughout the country, partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Obama administration on different projects including direct legislative reform, impact litigation, executive clemency, and prisoner reentry. Students enrolled in the seminar quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft petitions on our clients' behalf. The Project is an active, fast-paced organization that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and to hone practical litigation and advocacy skills in and out of the courtroom. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1 hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. CONSENT APPLICATION: Interested students must apply to enroll in the seminar by sending a one-page statement of interest and resume by email with the subject line "application" to Michael Romano (mromano@stanford.edu). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments.

Sections

Three Strikes Project: Criminal Justice Reform & Individual Representation | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1130

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2021-2022 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2021-2022 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
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