California Innocence Project

 Alex
  

Originally from a small town in Georgia, I came to California in 2001. I graduated  from San Diego State University, earning a B.A. in Political Science. During my undergraduate education, I interned for a local criminal defense attorney and got first-hand experience in the intricacies of the criminal justice system. My internship exposed me to the vulnerabilities of defendants in a formidable court system: especially for those individuals with a lack of resources. After deciding to attend law school, my search for a school that aligned with my personal interests and professional goals led me to California Western School of Law, and ultimately to the California Innocence Project. I feel so fortunate to play a part in an organization that helps fight injustice, and works to protect individual liberty. Thank you for your support and interest in the California Innocence Project!

    Brianne
  

I was born and raised in Temecula, California. I attended UC Santa Barbara for my first two years of college as an economics major. I then transferred to UC San Diego for my last two years, where I changed my major to Sociology. It was in these two years I learned a lot about our legal system through academic and personal experiences, unfortunately many of them being flaws in our criminal justice system. Once starting school at California Western, I learned more about the California Innocence Project and became interested in working to fight the injustices I saw. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with the California Innocence Project and  excited for the challenging and fulfilling year ahead.

  Katie

I was born and raised in Southern California, spending most of those years in Murrieta. I grew up playing softball and continued playing in college right here in San Diego, at Point Loma Nazarene University.  Growing up, I always wanted to be in the FBI, but I later learned that I would need a specialized degree to pursue that dream. At Point Loma, I majored in Sociology/Criminal Justice and had the chance to take a few criminal law classes.  It was in those classes that I discovered my passion – criminal defense. The next summer I interned at the Public Defender’s Office to see if this was the career that I really wanted to pursue.  My experience there confirmed my passion in criminal defense and led me to attend law school. I am so excited for the opportunity to work with the California Innocence Project and fight for those who have been wrongfully convicted. 
 

 Troy
  

Knowing ultimately I wanted to pursue a legal education, I moved to San Diego from the Bay Area for my undergraduate studies in 2005 at UC San Diego, earning a B.A. in Political Science with a Law and Society minor in March 2009.  I entered the work force at a securities litigation firm when I finished at UCSD, and after gaining much exposure to the legal field, I decided to enroll at California Western School of Law.  Criminal law is especially interesting to me, and during undergrad I worked for the UCSD Police Department.  I always found myself asking and thinking about the other side of the story--the stories of those arrested or being prosecuted--and realized the criminal justice system is flawed in many ways.  I am excited to become a part of the California Innocence Project and hear those stories on the other end of the law.

 Tara 

I originally grew up in a tiny town in Northern California called Sutter Creek.  I moved to San Diego to attend SDSU.  While at SDSU I was fortunate enough to participate in the “Prison Tour”, a program that allows students to travel around California touring prisons and talking to inmates.  This experience opened my eyes to the reality of prison life and to the men confined to a cell for up to twenty-two hours a day.  The astonishing realization that people were subject to this type of daily life who were completely innocent was too much for me to accept.  I knew immediately that I wanted to make a difference, and the way I could do that was to attend law school and give those people a voice.  I considered a few law schools but when I heard about that CWSL offered their students to be a part of the California Innocence Project my mind was made up.  I am extremely proud to be a part of this organization and can’t wait to be a part of the amazing things we do in the future.  

I am originally from the East Bay Area town of Antioch, California.  I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, Fresno in Political Science (Go Bulldogs!). While studying Political Science, I received a Certificate in Legal Studies, which exposed me to the legal aspects of the criminal justice system, including some of the flaws that I witnessed personally through close friends and family.  Nearing graduation, I was preparing to get a teaching credential when my Constitutional Law professor pulled me into his office and said I should go to law school.  He pointed me in the direction of an LSAT study guide and the pieces fell in place.  I have always been passionate about the injustices I have seen in the criminal justice system, and now I can finally do something about it. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this amazing program, and look forward to giving my all to help free those who have been wrongfully convicted.

  Jeffrey
 

In Southern California born and raised, in the city of Upland is where I spent most of my days. With the objective of pursuing my legal education, I graduated from CSU San Marcos earning a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. During this time, I committed myself towards furthering my leadership skills and utilized the Greek community in order to benefit the greater community through various philanthropic events. It wasn’t until my first semester at California Western that I discovered my propensity for criminal law. With that passion, and my current experiences at the San Diego County Alternate Public Defender’s Office, I am excited to dedicate myself towards the mission of the California Innocence Project. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who have truly been victimized by an imperfect justice system.

   Paul
 

I grew up in the rural town of Modesto, California.  I attended San Diego State University where I double majored in Philosophy and Political Science.  Soon after college, I was in a near fatal accident, but given a second chance at life.  I came across the California Innocence Project when researching law schools and immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the Project’s mission: release the wrongfully convicted and give them a second chance at life.  I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Innocence Project.  Thank you for supporting justice.

 Alvaro 

Growing up with a judge for a grandmother and an attorney for an aunt, it’s only natural that I would develop a passion for the legal profession. After all, how many children out there rifle through their grandmother’s briefcase looking for legal documents? I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where I spent my early childhood. I moved to the United States when I was eleven years old and, after a move or three, my family settled down in the Florida/Georgia area. I graduated from a “law magnet” high school where they taught basic legal courses ending in mock trials. I obtained my B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL. While attending college, I interned at a criminal defense firm where I was first exposed to the criminal justice system.  It was there that I realized just how much reform is needed within the system and how crucial it is for every person accused of any crime to have the best legal representation available. Thanks to my involvement with my college’s Pre-Law Program and Pre-Law Student Society, I learned about California Western School of Law and their association with the California Innocence project. Combining a great legal education, an amazing program such as the California Innocence Project, and the opportunity to live in the perfect San Diego weather, my choice was quite simple. I’m truly blessed to be in this city, in this school, and especially in this program.      

 Stefanie
 

I was born and raised in a suburb of Los Angeles with my two older brothers. When I was little, I told everyone that I wanted to be a lawyer because I enjoyed fighting with my siblings and my dad said lawyers were paid to fight. This seemed like a good deal to a 6 year old. As I grew up my intentions became (thankfully) more altruistic. Although my dream occupation changed many times, something that never changed was my desire to help people. After becoming interested in science in high school, I left LA to attend Point Loma Nazarene University where I majored in Biology-Chemistry. During lectures on Science and Ethics as well as courses in genetics, I learned about the importance of DNA/scientific evidence in the legal system. I was overjoyed to hear of cases where DNA evidence was used to exonerate individuals who were wrongfully convicted, but I was bothered by the idea that there were still innocent people in jail. When I decided to attend law school, I chose California Western for the purpose of getting involved in the California Innocence Project. I am beyond thrilled and humbled to be a part of such an amazing program and I hope to contribute to the program’s continuing tradition of changing lives.  

 Emilee 

Originally from Salt Lake City, I followed my educational goals to San Diego for Law School. I received a psychology degree while living in Washington. I worked in a neuropsychiatric hospital in Salt Lake City with children and teenagers before ultimately deciding to switch directions and attend law school. I loved my job especially because I knew I was really making a difference. When I learned about the California Innocence Project, I knew I had to be a part of it.  I am grateful to be able to be a part of such a wonderful program which makes such an impact on others.

 Priscilla
 

My interest in the California Innocence Project sparked the second I heard about the program from a professor during my undergraduate years at the University of Nevada. Unfortunately, I had seen firsthand what the effects of having a loved one incarcerated were. I knew this organization was something I had to be a part of. I am a first-generation U.S. citizen with parents who emigrated from Mexico to San Diego where I was born and raised. I am fortunate enough to be living in a country that allows you to reach your dream if you put in the hard work and dedication. I knew at a young age that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others. I attended the University of Nevada, Reno as a pre-law major and shortly after worked with a non-profit organization in Las Vegas, Nevada. There I worked providing rehabilitative mental health services to children in the foster care system, juvenile probation and juvenile sex offenders. After my work there, I wanted to help at a much higher level and in a bigger way. I knew that attending law school would give me the tools to do so. I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization and am looking forward to putting in that hard work and dedication.