The consequences of a criminal conviction are significant, and result in both the immediate loss of freedom as well as life-long collateral consequences. In this clinic, you will represent clients who have been convicted of serious criminal offenses in a direct appeal from that conviction before Maryland’s intermediate appellate court, the Court of Special Appeals. You will review the transcripts and records of clients’ trials, identify legal issues to pursue on direct appeal, meet with and counsel clients, draft and file appellate briefs, and deliver oral arguments before the Court of Special Appeals. In the course of this work, your clinic team will also consider larger issues that arise in the criminal justice system, and the unique professional responsibilities of the lawyers who participate in it.
