Drake Law School earned a place on PreLaw Magazine’s list of top law schools for Criminal Law with an A- rating. Law schools were graded based on the breadth of their curricular offerings including concentrations, clinical programs, centers, externships, journals, student groups, certificates, and other offerings.
Drake Law offers students substantial opportunities to learn about and develop skills in the field of criminal law. With coursework ranging from prosecution and defense to scientific and expert evidence to global issues in criminal law, students can explore a range of subject areas. The Drake Criminal Defense and Juvenile Delinquency Clinics provide students hands-on experience representing indigent clients in court appearances, depositions, and negotiations. Since the ranking was completed, Drake has expanded its criminal law program even further with the introduction of a new Wrongful Convictions Clinic.
Students also gain practical experience through internships with offices such as the Polk County Prosecutor’s Office, Federal and State Public Defender, and U.S Attorney’s Office. The Law School offers a certificate in Prosecution and Defense which is specifically designed to prepare students for careers in criminal law.
Students interested in criminal justice reform can take advantage of unique opportunities through Drake’s Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation (IJRI). Advanced seminars cover a wide range of legal subjects like restorative justice, trial and jury innovations, and innocence projects. Students may also get involved as research assistant on some of the IRJI’s ongoing projects.
“Drake Law’s rich curriculum and extensive opportunities to gain real-world experience through clinical programs and internships prepare students to hit the ground running when they graduate,” said Jerry Anderson, dean of Drake Law School. “It is not uncommon for students in our criminal law program to conduct a jury trial before graduation. These experiences make them strong candidates for many different employment opportunities. As a result, we have recent graduates working as prosecutors or defense attorneys across the country, from Los Angeles to Cook County (Chicago) to the Bronx.”
— Theresa Howard, Law School