The financial situation they are in prevents many from seeking legal council. Reid's students work along side public defenders preparing the cases to help assure a fair trial. We are provided the opportunity to get inside the court house and inside the process. While inside, students interact with various court officials. Students may ask questions and participate in the courtroom.
Judges spend time briefing students on occurrences that nobody else sees or reads about.
This instruction helps students understand the strengths and weaknesses in the law. Understanding courtroom practice will help students find jobs after graduation, Reid said. Before we get all excited about the reforms passed by the General Assembly regarding DNA, I would like to point out a few things. This bill does not amend or repeal the 21-day rule. Prisoners who have evidence of innocence, such as evidence of police or prosecutorial misconduct, false testimony, false confessions, jailhouse snitches, incompetent attorneys, and other non-biological evidence, still will be prevented from introducing that evidence.