Youth Justice Clinic students represent individuals in delinquency, criminal, school suspension, and post-conviction cases. Students work primarily with children and adolescents in conflict with the law and secondarily with adults convicted as minors seeking clemency. The clinic has a client-centered, interdisciplinary model with work touching on issues related to racial, economic and disability justice. Along with our individual client work, law students may also partner with local organizations engaged in juvenile defense and decarceral advocacy.
Enrollment Options and Credit Hours
- Full year (fall and spring semester) – 4 credit hours per semester
- Fall semester only – 4 credit hours
- Spring semester only – 4 credit hours
Skills Learned
- Interviewing and counseling
- Negotiation
- Motion drafting
- Direct- and cross-examination
- Opening statements and closing arguments
- Case planning
- Responding to rapidly changing circumstances
- Legal ethics
- Professional responsibility
- Reflection
- Receiving and learning from feedback from supervisors and peers
- Cross-cultural lawyering
Requirements
- Pre- or co-requisite courses: Criminal Lawyering Process (RWE), Criminal Procedure-Investigation, Evidence
Faculty
Reef C. Ivey II Excellence Fund Term Scholar, Associate Professor of Law, Director of Clinical Programs, and Director of the Youth Justice Clinic
(919) 962-2623 | fedders@email.unc.edu