School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Your unit may be subject to government or third party COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please consider this before enrolling in this unit, and speak with the unit coordinator if this raises any concerns.

  • Unit Title

    Innocence Project
  • Unit Code

    LAW4130
  • Year

    2022
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Pamela Jayne HENRY

Description

The Sellenger Centre Criminal Justice Review (CJR) Project is committed to pursuing the exoneration of those who have been wrongly convicted. By identifying the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction, it seeks to facilitate law reform, equity and equality for all who encounter the justice system process. The Innocence Project unit (LAW4130), a component of the CJR Project is driven by students, senior legal practitioners and scholars who work collaboratively in an environment that fosters integrity, respect, personal excellence and rational enquiry, to review cases where wrongful conviction is claimed. Students working in the Project are involved with the investigation and case management of potentially innocent but convicted persons; providing students with hands on experience in working in a professional capacity on real life cases with exposure to learning case and file management skills, investigative practises, interviewing skills, preparation of witness statements and briefs, and research skills. The Sellenger Centre Innocence Project develops future professionals who are committed to the values associated with justice for all. While students will work under supervision of an academic and qualified legal practitioner, any decisions in relation to the management of a convicted person's case will be the sole responsibility of the supervising legal practitioner. Acceptance to this unit will be by application ONLY.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Construct and manage case files.
  2. Critically analyse documentary evidence.
  3. Critically consider the imperfections of the criminal justice system in Western Australia.
  4. Critically consider the imperfections of the criminal justice systems in other jurisdictions.
  5. Critically consider the process of law reform.
  6. Demonstrate an ability to respond to, and follow instructions from a practicing lawyer.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of professional responsibility and legal professional privilege.
  8. Demonstrate sound teamwork skills.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively in a professional manner.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a professional context.
  11. Develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction.
  12. Develop an understanding of the impact of the criminal justice system.
  13. Show an understanding of the ethical issues associated with the Innocence Project work.

Unit Content

  1. Consider the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction.
  2. Consider the process of law reform.
  3. Critically review, develop and manage documentary evidence required as part of the case review process.
  4. Learn and apply the protocols of the CJR Project, demonstrating the professional and ethical responsibility of working within an 'Innocence Project'.
  5. Review key cases of wrongful convictions both in Western Australia and in other jurisdictions.
  6. This unit will be structured around the cases of persons who have been convicted of crimes under the law of Western Australia of which those persons claim to be innocent. Students will also study key cases of wrongful convictions both in Western Australia and in other jurisdictions. Applicants apply to the Sellenger Centre CJR Project, seeking case review. Under the instructions of a practising criminal lawyer, students enrolled in LAW4130 review cases, determining if they meet the requirements of the project or not. If a case is accepted by the project, a case brief is prepared. When completed, the case brief is progressed by a pro-bono Barrister. Students will also:
  7. Work collaboratively with peers and professionals in a team environment.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is offered in the on-campus mode only and runs for one full semester. The Project is driven by students under the guidance of academic scholars and a practising criminal barrister and students are required to contribute to cases by following the instruction of unit coordinator and the supervising legal practitioner. While students will work under supervision of an academic and qualified legal practitioner, any decisions in relation to the management of a convicted person's case will be the sole responsibility of the supervising legal practitioner. This unit requires weekly attendance on campus, for both team meetings and project meetings with the students' supervising legal practitioner. Attendance at these meetings will provide them with the opportunity to generate ideas in relation to the case evidence. The students' day-to-day activities will require them to further develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, teamwork skills and critical thinking skills.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformanceGroup and individual performance and participation
Reflective PracticeIndividual Reflections
PresentationGroup presentation

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

LAW4130|3|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Your unit may be subject to government or third party COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please consider this before enrolling in this unit, and speak with the unit coordinator if this raises any concerns.

  • Unit Title

    Innocence Project
  • Unit Code

    LAW4130
  • Year

    2022
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Pamela Jayne HENRY

Description

The Sellenger Centre Criminal Justice Review (CJR) Project is committed to pursuing the exoneration of those who have been wrongly convicted. By identifying the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction, it seeks to facilitate law reform, equity and equality for all who encounter the justice system process. The Innocence Project unit (LAW4130), a component of the CJR Project is driven by students, senior legal practitioners and scholars who work collaboratively in an environment that fosters integrity, respect, personal excellence and rational enquiry, to review cases where wrongful conviction is claimed. Students working in the Project are involved with the investigation and case management of potentially innocent but convicted persons; providing students with hands on experience in working in a professional capacity on real life cases with exposure to learning case and file management skills, investigative practises, interviewing skills, preparation of witness statements and briefs, and research skills. The Sellenger Centre Innocence Project develops future professionals who are committed to the values associated with justice for all. While students will work under supervision of an academic and qualified legal practitioner, any decisions in relation to the management of a convicted person's case will be the sole responsibility of the supervising legal practitioner. Acceptance to this unit will be by application ONLY.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Construct and manage case files.
  2. Critically analyse documentary evidence.
  3. Critically consider the imperfections of the criminal justice system in Western Australia.
  4. Critically consider the imperfections of the criminal justice systems in other jurisdictions.
  5. Critically consider the process of law reform.
  6. Demonstrate an ability to respond to, and follow instructions from a practicing lawyer.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of professional responsibility and legal professional privilege.
  8. Demonstrate sound teamwork skills.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively in a professional manner.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a professional context.
  11. Develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction.
  12. Develop an understanding of the impact of the criminal justice system.
  13. Show an understanding of the ethical issues associated with the Innocence Project work.

Unit Content

  1. Consider the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction.
  2. Consider the process of law reform.
  3. Critically review, develop and manage documentary evidence required as part of the case review process.
  4. Learn and apply the protocols of the CJR Project, demonstrating the professional and ethical responsibility of working within an 'Innocence Project'.
  5. Review key cases of wrongful convictions both in Western Australia and in other jurisdictions.
  6. This unit will be structured around the cases of persons who have been convicted of crimes under the law of Western Australia of which those persons claim to be innocent. Students will also study key cases of wrongful convictions both in Western Australia and in other jurisdictions. Applicants apply to the Sellenger Centre CJR Project, seeking case review. Under the instructions of a practising criminal lawyer, students enrolled in LAW4130 review cases, determining if they meet the requirements of the project or not. If a case is accepted by the project, a case brief is prepared. When completed, the case brief is progressed by a pro-bono Barrister. Students will also:
  7. Work collaboratively with peers and professionals in a team environment.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is offered in the on-campus mode only and runs for one full semester. The Project is driven by students under the guidance of academic scholars and a practising criminal barrister and students are required to contribute to cases by following the instruction of unit coordinator and the supervising legal practitioner. While students will work under supervision of an academic and qualified legal practitioner, any decisions in relation to the management of a convicted person's case will be the sole responsibility of the supervising legal practitioner. This unit requires weekly attendance on campus, for both team meetings and project meetings with the students' supervising legal practitioner. Attendance at these meetings will provide them with the opportunity to generate ideas in relation to the case evidence. The students' day-to-day activities will require them to further develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, teamwork skills and critical thinking skills.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformanceGroup and individual performance and participation
Reflective PracticeIndividual Reflections
PresentationGroup presentation

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

LAW4130|3|2