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Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project

Current Offerings

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar is an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. Thanks to assistance from students, over 250 of our clients have been freed from life sentences, and students been intimately involved in criminal policy reform movement through Project partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the Obama White House. Seminar students quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with cases in different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft court pleadings. The Project is an active, fast-paced program that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1-hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #26235

  • 4 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2026-2027 Autumn
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

Notes: This class section has been cancelled!

  • 2026-2027 Autumn
    This class section has been cancelled!

Future Offerings

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar is an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. Thanks to assistance from students, over 250 of our clients have been freed from life sentences, and students been intimately involved in criminal policy reform movement through Project partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the Obama White House. Seminar students quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with cases in different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft court pleadings. The Project is an active, fast-paced program that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1-hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #28601

  • 4 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar is an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. Thanks to assistance from students, over 250 of our clients have been freed from life sentences, and students been intimately involved in criminal policy reform movement through Project partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the Obama White House. Seminar students quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with cases in different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft court pleadings. The Project is an active, fast-paced program that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1-hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #28171

  • 4 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

Past Offerings

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar is an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. Thanks to assistance from students, over 250 of our clients have been freed from life sentences, and students been intimately involved in criminal policy reform movement through Project partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the Obama White House. Seminar students quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with cases in different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft court pleadings. The Project is an active, fast-paced program that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1-hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #30381

  • 4 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2025-2026 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2025-2026 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar is an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. Thanks to assistance from students, over 250 of our clients have been freed from life sentences, and students been intimately involved in criminal policy reform movement through Project partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the Obama White House. Seminar students quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with cases in different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft court pleadings. The Project is an active, fast-paced program that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1-hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1072

  • 4 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2024-2025 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2024-2025 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project (2008): This seminar is an opportunity to study mass incarceration and criminal law reform in real time while getting hands-on experience in active litigation on behalf of Three Strikes Project clients serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes. In this course, students read and analyze a variety of cases and articles, examining the evolution of incarceration and sentencing policies. Students also assist with live post-conviction litigation on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts across the country. The class focuses largely on the Three Strikes law as a case study in the history, politics, constitutional doctrine, and reform of criminal law policy. Thanks to assistance from students, over 250 of our clients have been freed from life sentences, and students been intimately involved in criminal policy reform movement through Project partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the Obama White House. Seminar students quickly become involved in all aspects of the Project's work, including assistance with cases in different stages of ongoing litigation. Students will visit a Project client in prison, conduct factual investigations, and draft court pleadings. The Project is an active, fast-paced program that depends on the hard work and contributions of law students enrolled in this seminar. This seminar offers the opportunity to both study the theory behind the law and hone practical litigation and advocacy skills. The seminar will meet for 3 hours per week, including 1-hour small group meetings with Project director Michael Romano. In addition, students will participate in field trips to various prisons in California. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Sections

Criminal Justice Reform & Litigation: Three Strikes Project | LAW 2008 Section 01 Class #1080

  • 4 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2024-2025 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 10
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • EL -Experiential Learning Requirement for Law Deg
    • PW-Professional Writing Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
    • LO5 - Ability to Communicate Orally
    • LO6 - Law Governing Lawyers/Ethical Responsibilities
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

Notes: This class section has been cancelled!

  • 2024-2025 Autumn
    Schedule No Longer Available
    This class section has been cancelled!
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