Law Students

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We think the prosecution and defense clinics are the two coolest things UVA students get to do.  Not only do you get to try real cases that have a real impact, you frequently win.  Anecdotally, we've heard of several people putting Ds in jail for extended periods as well as successfully keeping people out of jail (That ain't my pot!).  Sometimes though, you win because you can't possibly lose, as this defense clinic student recounts:

But the prosecutor added, "I don't think it's fair for this clinic student to win his first case without having to ask a single question." I quickly pointed out that I had made an objection during the questioning of the officer. "That's true," he said. "Okay, then." My supervisor defended me, saying, "He was very prepared with everything anyway." The judge agreed: "I could see he was ready to go with all his questions and everything, just chomping at the bit."

The judge looked at my client and said, "You're free to go." 

It's from last month, but is a pretty funny story and probably about the least painful experience you can hope for in your first trial.

NOT Guilty (Charles is my middle name) 

P.S.  1Ls, in case you want to do these clinics make sure you get all your ducks in a row and check the prerequisites.  You need to take a lot of classes in the next year to be covered.

Full post as published by TJ's Double Play on March 14, 2008 (boomark / email).