Can we right injustices in the legal system?

WashU law students are gaining real-world experience as they help those wrongfully convicted of crimes.

You’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but sometimes innocent people end up behind bars. Researchers estimate that around 5% of those convicted are innocent — that’s 1 in 20. Unfortunately, the legal system offers little recourse for those wrongfully convicted, and real justice can end up taking decades.

Take Michael Politte, who sentenced to life in prison for killing his mother at the age of 14—even though he denied the accusation and the one piece of forensic evidence presented to jurors turned out to be false. Politte served 23 years in prison before his conviction was overturned thanks in part to the efforts of law students in WashU’s Wrongful Conviction Clinic.

Politte served 23 years in prison before his conviction was overturned thanks in part to the efforts of law students in WashU’s Wrongful Conviction Clinic.

The clinic is part of WashU’s Clinical Education Program that helps budding lawyers understand the strengths—and weaknesses—of the justice system. Students gain real-world experience with litigation and work with clients who need their help in Missouri and neighboring states.

WashU law students spent hundreds of hours reviewing Politte’s case and interviewing jurors from the original trial to secure his release. So far, the Wrongful Conviction Clinic has helped more than a dozen clients and has secured the release of three innocent men.

More broadly, Politte’s case has also led to the review of laws around procedure and jurisdiction in Missouri, so no other innocents end up behind bars.

Working for justice for all.

This is what WashU can do.