Criminal Defense/Title IX Clinic
Overview
The Criminal Defense – Title IX Clinic, supervised by Professor Lydia D. Johnson, provides law students with immersive, practice-ready experience representing clients in both criminal defense and Title IX matters.
Student attorneys in the Criminal Defense/Title IX Clinic represent indigent clients charged with criminal misdemeanors in Harris County. Our students represent clients in various areas of criminal proceedings, including investigation, interviewing witnesses, plea negotiations, working with experts, suppression motions, and trials. Clinic cases encompass a wide range of misdemeanor offenses.
The Criminal Defense Clinic's primary goals are to provide law students with a quality experiential legal education and to provide high-quality legal services to indigents who would otherwise lack access to social justice.
During the semester, each student may have the opportunity to participate-.in or· conduct a court trial. Students are responsible for drafting pleadings and other documents. As part of that work, students conduct all factual investigations; interview clients and witnesses, prepare clients and witnesses for trial. Students also counsel clients on legal matters about their case. All students also attend regularly scheduled meetings with the clinic's supervising attorney to develop and review legal issues; develop and evaluate all strategic options in the case; and examine ethical, moral, and cultural issues that arise in the course of the work.
Students participate in an intensive pre-semester Boot Camp and earn four practicum credit hours plus two classroom credit hours in Criminal Trial Practice. The classroom component develops trial advocacy, client counseling, and professional identity, with an emphasis on ethics and real-world problem solving.
In the Criminal Defense Clinic, student attorneys represent indigent clients facing misdemeanor offenses in Harris County. Under faculty supervision, students manage all aspects of client representation:
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Conducting client interviews and witness examinations
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Investigating cases and working with expert witnesses
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Negotiating pleas and preparing suppression motions
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Representing clients in pre-trial hearings and trials
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Practicing law office management, including e-filing, case scheduling, and client communications
The Title IX Advisor program offers students a unique opportunity to represent students, faculty, and staff involved in campus sexual misconduct hearings under Title IX. As Advisors, students:
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Counsel parties about their rights under Title IX
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Advise on informal resolution options and their legal implications
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Assist in preparing opening statements and evidence submissions
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Develop cross-examination questions for live hearings
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Strategize with clients to address complex emotional and legal issues
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Provide support during investigative and hearing processes
This component highlights the importance of procedural fairness, trauma-informed advocacy, and understanding the overlap between criminal law and educational policy.
The combined Criminal Defense – Title IX model demonstrates how legal issues are rarely isolated. Students graduate equipped to:
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Handle overlapping criminal and administrative legal issues
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Collaborate across disciplines and with Family, Wills, Guardianship and Immigration clinics
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Serve a wide range of clients in private practice, government, or public interest law
Apply for Criminal Defense Clinic Representation
If you are seeking representation through the Criminal Defense Clinic, please complete the Criminal Defense Clinic Intake Form. Our clinic provides pro bono legal assistance to individuals facing criminal charges. Our law students, under the supervision of experienced attorneys, will assess your case and work on your behalf.
Please ensure that all relevant documents are submitted with your application to ensure prompt processing.
Apply for Legal Clinic Positions
We invite law students to apply for positions within our various legal clinics, which include:
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Criminal Defense/Title IX Clinic
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Family Law Clinic
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Immigration Law Clinic
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Wills, Trust-Probate
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Guardianship Clinic Application
If you are seeking advice or support related to a Title IX issue, you may request an advisor through the Title IX Intake Form. Completing this form will allow you to connect with a trained Title IX Advisor who can guide you through the reporting process, help you understand your rights, and assist with navigating any hearings or resolutions.
To initiate the process, please complete the Title IX Intake Form. Our Title IX Advisors are available to provide support and ensure that your case is handled with care and confidentiality.
If you need additional assistance or have questions about the form, please contact our office directly at [insert contact information]. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Below are the forms for Title IX, Criminal Defense Clinic, and Legal Clinic:
Legal Clinic
Prerequisite(s)
Criminal law, Criminal procedure, Constitutional law, Evidenceand Professional responsibility. Application Process: Submit application, be interviewed and approved by the supervising attorney.
Credits:
Six
Duration:
Semester-long
Number of Participants:
8 to 10 per semester
Open To:
2nd semester 2Ls and 3Ls
Average Time Commitment:
12 to 15 hours per week
Case Sources:
Court referrals
