Completed Projects

2024-2025 Academic Year

Expert Training Program

In working with the defense attorneys and speaking to others, the CJC discovered a glaring need in the fight against rap on trial: a sufficient number of testifying defense rap experts. 

More defense rap experts are needed who can educate judges, juries, and prosecutors about the history, complexity, poetic and lyrical structures, and musical intricacies of rap, as well as the market and music industry pressures and influences on the art form. 

To fill this void, in late February 2025, the CJC hosted and held its first Rap on Trial Expert Training (RTET). The RTET brought together nine of the leading hip-hop scholars from around the country for multiple days of training and relationship-building.

The scholars received training from experienced criminal defense attorneys on:

1. the role of experts in criminal cases;
2. how to serve as an expert in criminal cases; and
3. testifying in court.

Litigation Support

The CJC was retained (pro bono) to provide litigation support in criminal cases where prosecutors have or are seeking to use rap artistic expression as evidence.

CJC student-attorneys supported defense attorneys in these cases by: 

1. conducting research to support defense motions to prohibit or limit the use of rap artistic expression as evidence in the cases;
2. advising the defense attorneys on strategies to prohibit or limit the use of rap artistic expression as evidence in the cases; and
3. reviewing case discovery (evidence) and identifying helpful and harmful evidence for the defense.

Legislation Support

The CJC participated in a lobbying and legislative effort in support of HB1346/SB1001 in the Maryland legislature.

HB1346/SB1001 sought to impose standards limiting how and when rap artistic expression could be introduced as evidence in a criminal case in Maryland state courts. 

CJC supported the legislative effort by:

1. advising the bill’s sponsors about the language of the proposed legislation;
2. advising the bill’s sponsors and supporters about strategies to get the bill enacted into law; and
3. assisting with lobbying efforts to build support for the bill among Maryland state legislators. 

CJC Supervising Professor Lucius Outlaw testified before the judiciary committees of the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates in support of the bill.