Overview

This clinic engages students in the full array of criminal practice through representation of clients charged with misdemeanors offenses. The clinic is unique in that it engages students in federal court practice and will be supervised by an experienced federal public defender. Given jurisdictional requirements, cases often arise from activities occurring on Wright Patterson Air Force Base, in housing or nearby businesses, or on the roadways passing through the base that people may not realize are on federal land.  

Through representation of real clients, students will have an opportunity to research and apply principles of criminal law and procedure as well as to gain significant experience with client interviewing and counseling; conducting pre-trial conferences; fact discovery and pre-trial motions; plea negotiations and trial. Understanding of the federal judiciary and sentencing guidelines will also be obtained.  

As with all in-house clinics, students do the primary legal representation, even conducting in federal court the trials and pre-trial hearings, as well as the communication with clients and U.S. Attorneys, under the licensed supervision of their faculty member.