South Middlesex Times

Apr 9, 2025

In Wood Lawn Mansion's formal dining room, Rutgers-New Brunswick students are reviewing criminal cases as part of a clemency project initiated by New Jersey's Governor Phil Murphy. The governor's Clemency Initiative, started in June 2024, aims to clear a backlog of over 1,000 applications for pardons and commutations. Led by former assistant U.S. attorney and Rutgers alumnus Elie Honig, the students work through these cases, which range from 10 to over 100 pages.

Honig, who also teaches at the Eagleton Institute of Politics and serves as a senior legal analyst for CNN, collaborated with Justin Dews, chair of the Clemency Advisory Board, to involve his students in the project. “I told him, ‘I think we could have a mutual opportunity here. I assume you have to go through a ton of cases, and I think I can tap into some very talented students who can help,’” Honig said.

The 14 students in the New Jersey Clemency Internship meet weekly at Eagleton, reviewing convictions that can date back decades, preparing concise memos for the governor's consideration. Junior Ayush Nimak commented, “We are one cog in this really big machine. It’s been great to see how our work effects change.”

A recent announcement at Winants Hall by Governor Murphy detailed 87 new pardons and six commutations, adding to the 129 clemency grants under his administration. Honig and his students attended the event, receiving praise from Murphy and Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway.

The students, chosen from over 300 applicants, met with Honig and legal experts to learn about the pardon process. The project has provided students, especially those aiming for legal careers, with practical experience. Junior Summer Roberts noted the chance to "reevaluate all the decisions that were made before our time."

The experiences have fostered empathy among students like Arjan Aiden and Chaka Mishoe, who have worked on cases involving domestic abuse and substance issues. "You feel more understanding for people as you can contextualize their situations," Aiden shared. Mishoe added, “It has been rewarding to work on a profound program that gives people a second chance.” Honig emphasized the importance of unbiased evaluations, saying, “You realize the weight of what we are doing. We are taking everything into account and leaving bias by the door.”