LAWS 8263 BC Innocence Program Clinic
BCIP Clinic students work under the supervision of Prof. Beckman and Staff Attorneys Charlotte Whitmore and Lauren Jacobs to investigate and litigate post-conviction cases on behalf of clients who maintain they were wrongfully convicted in Massachusetts for crimes they did not commit. BCIP Clinic students meet with, interview, and counsel clients; plan and carry out factual investigations, including witness interviews; evaluate potential innocence cases to determine which ones to litigate; collaborate with co-counsel; work with expert witnesses; meet with prosecutors; draft legal research memoranda, investigative reports, correspondence, motions, affidavits, and memoranda of law; and prepare for and participate in judicial proceedings to obtain access to scientific testing of physical evidence, and to vacate the convictions of innocent clients and free them from wrongful imprisonment.
Course overview
- Department
- Law
- School
- LAW
- Credits
- 7
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- Criminal Procedure and Evidence recommended. or Permission of Department
- Corequisites
- LAWS4461
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.65 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.62 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Sharon Beckman | 4.2 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 10+ hrs/week | 5 of 5 |
| Fall 2025 | Sharon Beckman | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 10+ hrs/week | 5 of 5 |
| Spring 2025 | Sharon Beckman | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 10+ hrs/week | 7 of 8 |
| Fall 2024 | Sharon Beckman | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 10+ hrs/week | 7 of 8 |
| Spring 2024 | Sharon Beckman | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 10+ hrs/week | 10 of 10 |
| Fall 2023 | Sharon Beckman | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10+ hrs/week | 9 of 10 |
| Spring 2023 | Sharon Beckman | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 9 of 10 |
| Fall 2022 | Charlotte Whitmore | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 9 of 10 |
| Fall 2022 | Sharon Beckman | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 9 of 10 |
| Spring 2022 | Charlotte Whitmore | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 10+ hrs/week | 6 of 11 |
| Spring 2022 | Sharon Beckman | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 10+ hrs/week | 6 of 11 |
| Fall 2021 | Charlotte Whitmore | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 10+ hrs/week | 5 of 12 |
| Fall 2021 | Sharon Beckman | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 10+ hrs/week | 5 of 12 |