Washington Post: A look at Georgetown U’s Street Law Program inside the D.C. Jail

Yesterday, Georgetown University’s Street Law Program was featured in the Washington Post for their work in the D.C. jail.

Georgetown University Law Center is home to the first Street Law program, which began in 1972. The Georgetown program launched a variety of Street Law programs around the world delivered by teachers, lawyers, law students, youth workers, and police officers, which are led today by Street Law, Inc. Georgetown has been holding law classes for inmates at the jail for 43 years, but this month, an all-female class had a mock trial for the first time.

The Washington Post article follows the accomplishments of a group of 14 inmates during their work on the mock trial. The class was taught by Georgetown Law student Anna Van Hollen, and the jury included Van Hollen’s father Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and her mother, Katherine.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz oversaw the trial and acted as another mentor for the students.

One of the women, Imani Nunn, described completing the class as “The best feeling I ever had.”

Read the full Washington Post article to learn more about how the Street Law program has impacted these women’s lives

A group of D.C. jail inmates representing two defendants in a mock trial, part of the Georgetown University Street Law Program, celebrate as a verdict of “not guilty” is read by a bailiff on Jan. 18.

Photo credit: Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post