In January 2023, the small but dedicated Miami Law Innocence Clinic community lost one of the best and brightest. A 2016 University of Miami School of Law graduate, Jonathan Richter was an innocence clinic student in 2015 and a fellow in 2016.
"Jonathan was one of the most tirelessly dedicated students I had the honor of working with," said Clinic Director Craig Trocino. "He was not only a student but became a colleague, a successful lawyer, and a friend. His strength, dedication, and generous spirit remain an inspiration to all that knew him and all that hear about him.
"After being diagnosed with cancer, Jonathan battled it for two years with a tenacious determination and grace that was awe inspiring. He never gave up and always remained positive. When he passed in January there was a void in our Innocence Clinic family. But his memory inspires us and makes us stronger. It is in Jonathan's honor that I created the Jonathan Richter Never Give Up Award," Trocino said.
The award will go each year to an Innocence Clinic student or students who embody Jonathan's fighting spirit and exhibit outstanding contributions to the clinic and the wrongfully convicted.
"Year after year I am blessed with the most incredible students who want to work in the Innocence Clinic," said Trocino. "Jonathan Richter was one such student. The 2023 Jonathan Richter Never Give Up Award recipients, Ashley Garcia and Myles Crandall, have carried on the high level of dedication and work that inspired this award. As students their work was tireless and first rate. As fellows, their continued perseverance on difficult cases their and mentorship of the new students as invaluable. They both leave the clinic better than they found it whether by tirelessly working on behalf of clients or streamlining clinic processes to give tomorrow's students a head start."
The clinic is dedicated to identifying and correcting wrongful convictions, exonerating innocent individuals, and combating injustice. Miami Law's Innocence Clinic is one of two Innocence Network member organizations in Florida and is the only university-based innocence organization in the state.
"I am honored to have received the inaugural Jonathan Richter Never Give Up Award," said Crandall. "Working with the Innocence Clinic for the past two years has been a highlight of my law school experience. I have learned about the criminal legal system and developed vital skills. The most significant element of the Innocence Clinic has been the opportunity to work with amazing people.
"First, our clients, wrongfully convicted people across the state of Florida who demonstrate immense grit. It was also profound to read many letters from people who are incarcerated across the state and who deserve support and for their cases to be reviewed. It was inspiring to work alongside dedicated Miami Law students including my partner last year, Reunie Faustin; my team this year, Isabelle Carbajales and Danielle Bukacheski; and the amazing fellows in the clinic this year: Lauren O'Neil, Ashley Garcia, and Tanisha Wright. Huge credit to Craig Trocino for leading this team and being an exemplary advocate for the wrongfully convicted."
The hands-on clinic allows law students the opportunity for live client representation, handling cases involving innocent individuals incarcerated for a minimum of 10 years who have new evidence ranging from recanting witnesses to new witnesses discovered by students to prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel.
"Although I never had the honor of meeting Jonathan, I am extremely grateful to be the recipient of such an incredible award," said Garcia. "One of the main reasons I chose to attend the University of Miami School of Law was because of the Innocence Clinic. Craig Trocino and the Innocence Clinic team have changed my life and will forever be part of my family. I am so fortunate that I was able to make at least a small impact on such an inspiring and phenomenal community."
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