University of Southern California

Welcome

The Post-Conviction Justice Project is a clinical program run by professors and certified student legal interns at the University of Southern California Law School. The Project, headed by Professors Heidi Rummel and Michael Brennan, represents parole-eligible inmates serving indeterminate life sentences for murder in California state prisons.Learn More…

PCJP Alumnus  Elected to Washington State Supreme Court

PCJP Alumnus Elected to Washington State Supreme Court

PCJP Alumnus Elected to Washington State Supreme Court

Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Class of 1984, begins her six-year term January 2013.

PCJP Expands Focus to Represent Youth Offenders

PCJP Expands Focus to Represent Youth Offenders

PCJP Expands Focus to Represent Youth Offenders

The move comes as Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act into law, creating a review process for juveniles sentenced to life without parole.

PCJP Celebrates 30 Years

PCJP Celebrates 30 Years

PCJP Celebrates 30 Years

More than 120 former PCJP students and clients attended the reception, which was the first formal gathering of the Project in 30 years.

PCJP Student Anand Krishnaswamy argues before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

PCJP Student Anand Krishnaswamy argues before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

PCJP Student Anand Krishnaswamy argues before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

On December 5, 2011, Anand Krishnaswamy argued on behalf of PCJP client Destinni Mardesich before a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena.

Court of Appeal orders release of two PCJP clients, and hears PCJP student argument

Tresia Henry and Charmaine Petit were successfully represented in oral arguments at the California Court of Appeals by PCJP students Zach Crowley and Max Castro, while Steve Papazian argued on behalf of Jeanna Redwood on February 9, 2012.


Featured client

Glenda Jo Virgil, 65, has served 25 years for killing her physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive partner who, after beating Ms. Virgil for several hours, threatened to kill her to prevent her from leaving him. Ms. Virgil is wheelchair-bound and in poor health. She has been diagnosed with aggressive form of lung cancer and has suffered four pulmonary embolisms.
Last August, a panel of the Parole Board denied her parole for three more years for smoking cigarettes in prison. Read more here.

Who we are

Under the supervision of faculty members at the University of Southern California Law School, a team of certified student legal interns represents a variety of parole-eligible inmates. Learn more about these students and their experiences working on their cases by clicking here.

Join the Project

In the summer, the Project hires six first-year students, who stay on for the following academic year. If you are currently a student at the University of Southern California Law School, click here to download the application to join the Post-Conviction Justice Project for the summer of 2013. The application is due by March 22, 2013 in the box outside room 326A.


Contacting the Post-Conviction Justice Project

The Post-Conviction Justice Project (PCJP) has limited resources and receives numerous requests for assistance. If you believe your case fits within the parameters of the types of cases PCJP handles, please send a brief description of your case by mail to: Post-Conviction Justice Project, USC Gould School of Law, 699 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90089-0074. Do not send original paperwork. You can expect to receive a response in 4-8 weeks only if we can assist you. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every request we receive. If you are not a prospective client or contacting the clinic regarding one:  Please email the Post-Conviction Justice Project by clicking here.


Designed by PCJP in Los Angeles.
©2013 The Post-Conviction Justice Project