Skills – 3 units. This practicum explores the origins and enforcement of California’s Racial Justice Act (RJA). The lecture component will provide a foundation in equal protection jurisprudence and litigation, tracing the development of case law from colonial America to the current federal standards. Students will learn the structural limits of federal intent-based doctrine and the new state remedy, the RJA. Students will gain practical experience investigating, pleading, and litigating RJA violations in post-conviction settings, with focused instruction on California habeas procedure. Students will work on pending litigation and be responsible for pleadings, discovery, and/or investigation of such claims on behalf of incarcerated persons.
Grading Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Final Assessment: Skills Class Final Assignment (e.g. Trial, Mediation, Brief).
Graduation Requirements: Satisfies the Bias, Antiracism and Cultural-Competency Requirement.