PRETRIAL JUSTICE PRACTICUM
(LAWI-4230) - 3 UNITS

The Pretrial Justice Practicum seeks to expose law students to issues in pretrial justice policy, with a focus on bail and pretrial policy and practice in Los Angeles and California. Students will learn about major issues impacting judges' decisions to release someone on bail pending their criminal case, what services are available to someone who is released on bail, and how bail decisions (both individual decisions, and the policy decisions that undergird and structure bail decisions) impact community safety, justice, and equity.

The Practicum draws on the experience of Adjunct Professor Claire Simonich, who has obtained expertise on bail policy and practice as a federal public defender in Los Angeles (where she implemented district-wide changes in bail practice) and as a research-oriented policy advocate at the Vera Institute of Justice in Los Angeles (where she studies bail policy data and practices, and seeks pretrial justice reform both locally and across California).

After learning about bail and pretrial justice policy, as well as the legal principles that undergird bail decisions in California, students will apply what they have learned in practical projects in the community. Projects may include: writing a report regarding variation in bail policies across California, writing a letter opposing or supporting a local or state bail policy, writing a public comment opposing or supporting a local or state bail policy, attending a legislative hearing and giving verbal testimony or public comment, or giving a verbal presentation to local or state policymakers. Students will also observe bail arguments as well as pretrial policy debates.

Pass/Fail:
No

Prerequisites:
Criminal Law (LAWD-1001) 
and
Criminal Procedure (LAWD-4007)  (can be taken concurrently)