Barbara C. Salken Criminal Justice Clinic
About the Clinic
The Barbara C. Salken Criminal Justice Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University handles all aspects of the representation, from arraignment through sentencing, of indigent clients charged with misdemeanor offenses in the Bronx County Criminal Court. Law students working under the supervision of a law school professor prepare bail applications, factual investigation and discovery, motions and memoranda of law, hearings on motions, negotiation with the District Attorney, trial and sentencing advocacy, and, if necessary, probation and parole revocation hearings.
Clients are primarily assigned through the Bronx Criminal Court, the Legal Aid Society of NYC, or Bronx Criminal Defense Practice. The clinic evaluates referrals for post conviction cases based on a variety of factors including the complexity of the case, the chances of a good outcome, how they fit with our total caseload, and our overall mission of providing defense for indigent people while providing a rich educational experience for our students.
Student Participation
Seminars introduce students to the basics of New York State criminal procedure and practice in advance of the first arraignment sessions and, thereafter, focus on substantive legal and lawyering skills. Seminars may include videotaped simulations and student presentation of issues raised by their cases.
Students must be able to spend at least one full day per week in the Bronx and attend two weekly seminars.
Permission of the professor, based on application and interview, is required. Professional Responsibility is required. Criminal Procedure-Investigation, Trial Advocacy, and Evidence are required but may be taken simultaneously or waived at the discretion of the professor. Preference is given to third- and fourth-year students