Since launching its Compassionate Release and Excessive Sentences Project in 2018, the Criminal Justice Clinic has won the release of 24 clients.
IRVINE, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2025) — On January 17, 2025, President Joseph Biden commuted the sentences of three clients represented by Professor Katie Tinto and the Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC) at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Among them were two clients serving life sentences for non-violent drug offenses.
“We are deeply grateful for President Biden’s grant of clemency and proud of the extraordinary work done by our students,” said Criminal Justice Clinic Director and Clinical Professor of Law Katie Tinto. “This milestone underscores the importance of advocating for fairness and justice for those who have been unjustly incarcerated for decades.”
Sean Moffitt and Justin Morrow were granted clemency as part of CJC’s work with the Stash House Clemency Collaborative, a joint initiative involving UC Irvine Law, the University of Chicago School of Law, and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. The Collaborative advocates for individuals targeted in highly criticized undercover policing operations known as stash house stings which have drawn widespread condemnation for their unjust impact on defendants.
UC Irvine Law alumni Madelyn Delucca (‘24), Manisha Malhotra (‘23), Allysa Suhaidi (‘24), and Alliyah Thomas (‘23) worked extensively as students on the successful clemency petitions for Mr. Moffitt and Mr. Morrow.
This milestone underscores the importance of advocating for fairness and justice for those who have been unjustly incarcerated for decades.
Katie Tinto, Criminal Justice Clinic Director and Clinical Professor of Law
In a separate case, Michael Montalvo, who was serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense and had already served nearly 40 years, also received clemency. Although two prison wardens had recommended his release, federal law prevented a court from granting him relief. CJC joined a dedicated team of advocates in support of Mr. Montalvo’s petition. UC Irvine Law students Jonathan Caceres (‘23) and True Shields-Le (‘24) played key roles in the preparation and submission of his clemency petition, resulting in President Biden’s commutation of his sentence.
Since launching its Compassionate Release and Excessive Sentences Project in 2018, CJC has been at the forefront of efforts to secure the release of prisoners serving lengthy and unjust sentences. To date, the project has won the release of 24 clients, including 12 individuals serving life or effective life sentences.
The clinical program at UC Irvine School of Law is a critical, required part of the curriculum, enabling students to gain valuable experience representing a variety of clients in need and working to address pressing problems. Additionally, students in CJC represent low-income individuals in state criminal court, help non-citizens seek post-conviction relief when facing immigration consequences of past criminal offenses, and much more.
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