USD Law Advocate, Spring 2026

CLINICAL IMPACT

Innocence Clinic with a high profile event. An overflow crowd gathered to hear a leading expert in police interrogations, Dave Thompson , describe how false confessions happen, why innocent people confess and what reforms would make the system more just. The Innocence Center’s Executive Director, Michael Semanchik , moderated the panel discussion with Brooks and Amanda Knox , whom Brooks called “the most

Professor Justin Brooks spoke with well-known exoneree Amanda Knox on October 2, 2025, at a high-profile event to launch USD Law’s new Innocence Clinic.

Innocence Center are mostly former students and staff attorneys who worked for Brooks at the California Inno cence Project. In 2023, Brooks helped launch the Innocence Center and now serves on its board. That same year, Brooks joined the faculty of USD and was immediately lobbied by students to start an innocence organization at the law school. That lobbying effort led to the creation of the new clinic. “The work of the clinic is consistent with the compas sionate service mission of the University of San Diego,” Brooks explained. “There is no better service for a lawyer to engage in than freeing innocent people from prison.” “This partnership with the Innocence Center provides a vital enhancement of the superb clinical offerings at USD School of Law,” said Schapiro. “Our students will have the unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the workings of the criminal justice system as they protect the innocent, advance the rule of law and serve the community.” In observance of Wrongful Conviction Day on October 2, 2025, USD’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and USD Law partnered to unveil the

famous exoneree in the world.” Convicted of a murder in Italy in 2007, when she was 20, Knox served four years in prison until her conviction was overturned. She serves on the Innocence Center’s board with Brooks. In many respects, Brooks said, the hardest part of the job is deciding which cases to take. Many people in prison claim innocence; the evaluation of those claims must be rigorous to make sure that only the wrongfully convicted receive representation. “In a typical year, there might be 2,000 requests for help. One hundred of those cases might move into serious investigation. Ultimately, two or three innocent people might walk out of prison.” Students play an integral role in innocence organiza tions while they develop skills in the process. “They learn how to be great lawyers while righting a wrong,” Brooks explained. “USD students who participate in the clinic will go to prisons, interview clients, read transcripts, find evidence, talk to witnesses and law yers, write memos, and assess cases. They will learn skills that cannot be learned by simply studying law books. They will have the nitty-gritty skills you need as a criminal defense attorney or as a prosecutor.” ■

“ Our students will have the unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the workings of the criminal justice system as they protect the innocent, advance the rule of law and serve the community. ” —DEAN ROBERT A. SCHAPIRO

USD SCHOOL OF LAW

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