Academic Programs
Certificate in Criminal Law
The DePaul Criminal Law Program provides students with a multifaceted introduction to the theory and practice of criminal law. Courses within the program draw on the real-world experiences of a nationally recognized faculty engaged in all aspects of criminal law, including representing clients in capital cases, exploring the use of forensic science in the courtroom, studying terrorism, researching how emotion affects criminal law and drafting treatises on numerous criminal law topics. Faculty members work closely with students in their academic and professional pursuits, which include research projects, moot court trials, externship placements, and client representation in both felony and capital cases. Through strong mentorship in a supportive environment, the Criminal Law Program promotes values such as intellectual rigor, curiosity, and ethical and social responsibility.
Criminal Law Certificate
To earn a certificate, a student must complete the 86 semester hours required for the Juris Doctor (JD) and satisfy all JD requirements. Within the elective coursework required for the JD, a student must complete 15 credit hours from the approved criminal law curriculum, including a criminal law clinic and/or field placement, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in those courses.
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Clinical Programs
Criminal Appeals
The Criminal Appeals Legal Clinic provides students with the opportunity to learn appellate practice, assist indigent criminal defendants and experience the appellate system in the real world. Students perfect an appeal by reviewing the record, researching the issues, preparing the brief and presenting the oral argument, when appropriate. They visit clients in prison and conduct all correspondence with clients and trial counsel. Victories by DePaul student attorneys have included a reversal of a conviction of vehicular invasion; a reversal of a conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, reducing the sentence to one year on the remaining count; and a post-conviction petition granted with a sentence reduction from 70 to 18 years.
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Death Penalty
During the yearlong Death Penalty Legal Clinic, students study the complexities of this increasingly controversial form of punishment. They work on trial and post-conviction capital cases and examine the impact of capital punishment on society. Second- and third-year law students have the opportunity to locate and interview witnesses, uncover legal records, write motions and handle other critical components of these cases. Recently, clinic students helped prepare court documents for a death row inmate's appeal and clemency hearings that ultimately led to his pardon.
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Misdemeanor
Commensurate with DePaul’s Vincentian tradition, the Misdemeanor Legal Clinic offers a much-needed service to the community and gives students the opportunity to represent indigent persons charged with misdemeanors. Students participating in the clinic investigate cases, file and litigate appropriate motions, and may try or plead cases in court. Clinic students also work with students from related disciplines to address the mental and social health needs of their clients.
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Field Placement Program
The Field Placement Program is another way to obtain valuable experience in criminal law. DePaul law students have the opportunity to obtain course credit and practical experience while working in a variety of jobs. In recent years, students have worked for the Department of Homeland Security; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Department of Justice; Federal Defender Program; Office of the Illinois Attorney General; Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender; Cook County State's Attorney's Office; and Cook County Public Defender's Office.
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Special Programs
Center for Justice in Capital Cases
The Center for Justice in Capital Cases strives to create a higher standard of practice in the capital arena through vigorous advocacy, cutting-edge work in the legal and social science fields, and a client-centered philosophy. In conjunction with the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender, the Center trains attorneys appointed to defend individuals charged with a capital crime. As a resource for capital defense attorneys nationwide, the Center organizes and presents seminars featuring nationally recognized authorities. The Center also supports the Death Penalty Legal Clinic, which offers students academic credit as they work on discreet aspects of actual death penalty cases.
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Center for Law & Science
The Center for Law & Science is devoted to gathering and distributing information in the form of case summaries, bibliographies of legal and scientific articles, Web site listings, and other materials concerned with the interaction of modern science with the courts and the legal community. Primary attention is given to identifying, collecting and analyzing key scientific literature, important trials, and appellate reviews of criminal and tort cases that have science issues as important components. The Center also hosts speaker programs and national conferences, covering topics such as DNA in the courtroom, post-conviction DNA testing, crime scene protection and analysis, entrance and exit wound analysis, blood splatter analysis, researching forensic science, and examining and crossexamining DNA experts.
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Full-Time Faculty
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Max N. Helveston Martha A. Pagliari Allen Moye Zoë Robinson |
Barbara B. Bressler John F. Decker Jerold Friedland Jody Marcucci |
