The Criminal Legal System: Advocacy and Freedom

This is an experiential learning course. Students will learn about the criminal legal system broadly and in NJ specifically, while working towards the freedom of an incarcerated person. It includes skill development: advocative writing/narrative building, oral advocacy, investigative research, trauma-informed interviewing, creating supportive evidence, and cross cultural relationships. Skills are contextualized by readings and media about the criminal legal system, the factors that lead to incarceration, and decarceration tools. The course aims to educate at the intersection of subject matter expertise/context, fieldwork, and creativity.