Boalt Police Review Advocates
Student Clinic

Founded in Spring 2004, the Boalt Police Review Advocates student clinic gives all Boalt law students the opportunity to represent complainants of police misconduct at public hearings before the Berkeley and Oakland police review boards.  During these hearings, representatives are allowed to make opening statements, perform direct examinations of their clients and witnesses, cross-examine subject police officers and officer witnesses, and give closing statements.

Because these police review boards hearings are not courts of law, law students do not need to be certified by the state bar in order to serve as an advocate for the complainants.  To help law students become competent representatives, BPRA provides weekly training sessions on preparing cases, cross-examination techniques, effective opening and closing statements, working with (low-income) clients, and other advocacy skills.  We also match up student representatives with experienced attorney mentors to help them conduct their first couple of hearings.