LAWS 8304 BC Defenders Program Clinic
Almost 2 million people are currently incarcerated in the United States. In this clinic, students will explore the problem of mass incarceration and the role of race and poverty in the criminal legal system through the representation of indigent clients charged with crimes and probation violations in the Boston Municipal Court in Dorchester, MA. Students represent clients in all stages of the criminal defense case, from pre-trial hearings through trials in criminal court. Through the clinic, students will learn to be zealous, client-centered advocates. Opportunities for systemic advocacy may arise throughout the year.
Course overview
- Department
- Law
- School
- LAW
- Credits
- 4
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Catalog details
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.66 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.33 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 8
| 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 | Steven Van Dyke | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 10+ hrs/week | 6 of 6 |
| Fall 2025 | Steven Van Dyke | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10+ hrs/week | 6 of 6 |
| Spring 2025 | Lumina Sato | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 10+ hrs/week | 7 of 7 |
| Fall 2024 | Lumina Sato | 4.4 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 10+ hrs/week | 7 of 7 |
| Spring 2024 | Jenna Cobb | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 10 of 12 |
| Spring 2024 | Lumina Sato | 4.9 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 10 of 12 |
| Fall 2023 | Jenna Cobb | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 11 of 13 |
| Fall 2023 | Lumina Sato | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 11 of 13 |
| Spring 2023 | Jenna Cobb | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | — | 2 of 6 |
| Spring 2022 | Lumina Sato | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10+ hrs/week | 4 of 6 |