Cardozo offers a robust criminal law program with classes in Criminal Law, Evidence and Criminal Procedure, as well as the Criminal Defense Clinic, the Innocence Project, and one of the most comprehensive boot camp programs for trial lawyers--the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program. In addition, the Benedict Morelli Trial Advocacy Program provides students with the opportunity to compete nationally in mock trials and recently hosted the National Trial Competition, one of the largest competitions in the country.
The Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP)
The Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) is a cornerstone of Cardozo's practical skills curriculum. In this two-week immersion course held each January, students learn cutting-edge strategies for courtroom litigation under the instruction of leading jurists and lawyers from across the country.
In a "master class" approach to learning, students practice direct and cross-examinations, interview and prepare witnesses, select juries, deal with evidentiary issues and prepare for and present bench and jury trials. The course ends with students conducting a full jury trial.
At every step, students are critiqued by judges and lawyers, including individual reviews of student performances on video. The course is taught in small groups to give students direct feedback on their performance from judges and to allow each student to develop confidence in the various roles of being a trial lawyer.

Prosecutor Practicum
The Prosecutor Practicum is a full-time internship at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office where students spend a semester as student assistant district attorneys. They participate with new ADAs in an orientation program providing practical training in criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and professional responsibility.

The Innocence Project was Born at Cardozo Law School
The Innocence Project was founded at Cardozo. It is only open to Cardozo students and the clinical experience here is unparalleled anywhere. In this video, Rachel Pecker '13 talks about the emotional impact of working on a case that successfully overturned a wrongful conviction. See what it's like to work for justice.