3rd-Years Can Handle Felony Cases, Says Top Ohio Court

It's long been an accepted practice for third-year law students in Ohio to hone their legal skills by representing defendants in criminal misdemeanor cases.

But now, under a rule change approved last week by the state supreme court, they will also be able to try felony cases, too, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The third-years work under a special certificate provided by their law school deans and under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

"Law schools are doing much more than they did 20 to 25 years ago in practical criminal law application," says Geoffrey Mearns, the dean of Cleveland State University's law school. "This is about continuing a current trend."