Law School students, faculty, and staff have compiled the following list of resources to guide students interested in criminal law. It is not an exhaustive list, but a place for you to begin your own research into this field. These are just some of the many opportunities and resources that you can take advantage of in pursuing your area of interest.
Courses
For related course listings, please see the Curriculum Interest Areas pages.
Student Groups
ACLU-Law School
Criminal Law Society
Prisoners' Rights Organization of Students (PROS)
The Law School has more than 50 student organizations, many which run their own public service projects. Please note that from academic year to year, new student organizations form while others may become inactive.
Programs
Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College
The Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College teaches the skills, knowledge, and insights needed to face this challenge. Instruction includes lectures, demonstrations, and small group workshops where participants work on their actual cases.
Office of Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs maintains a list of externship placement opportunities by practice area, and where available, comments from past externs.
American Bar Association: Criminal Justice Section
Career Guides
Michigan Law School's Tips on Applying to Public Defender Jobs
NYU Law School’s Public Defender Career Handbook
Harvard Law School’s A Guide to Public Defender Programs
University of Virginia Law School’s How to Get a Job in a Public Defender's Office
Michigan
National
State Appellate Defender Offices (select states)
International Resources