Know Your Rights Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Nieves Law Firm
The Nieves Law Firm is deeply committed to criminal defense and to standing with people who face daunting legal challenges. Because we regularly represent clients during arrests and criminal investigations, we see how quickly someone who doesn’t know their rights can be disadvantaged or coerced into incriminating themselves. That problem motivates our work—and inspired this scholarship.
Since 2019, The Nieves Law Firm has awarded the Know Your Rights Scholarship to support students who will help promote awareness of individual rights. The contest invites a 750-word essay on steps that should be taken to raise public understanding of constitutional and legal protections and to reduce incidents of self-incrimination. One winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to apply toward their education. View past recipients here.
Scholarship eligibility
- Open to students currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or law program at an accredited U.S. college or university.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
- High school applicants must be graduating and/or enrolled in a college or university by the scholarship deadline to be eligible.
How to apply
To submit an application for the Know Your Rights Scholarship, complete the entry form and attach the following:
- A current resume that includes up-to-date contact details and your education status.
- An official or unofficial transcript from your present or most recent school.
- A 750-word essay explaining what should be done to increase awareness of individual rights so people are less likely to make self-incriminating statements.
Deadline
All application materials must be submitted by February 28.