Job Title: Fall Internship - Adult Criminal Division
Job Responsibilities:
Interns within the Adult Criminal Division of the organization's Public Defender’s Office will engage in practical, hands-on case preparation. This involves exceeding the standard public service requirement of 30 hours by dedicating at least 60 hours to the program. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with legal professionals and gain direct exposure to trial-level division cases, participating in court representation each morning. They will be involved in various legal processes, assisting in the preparation and management of cases. The program is designed to provide substantial legal experience, preparing interns for future roles within the legal field.
Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for the internship, applicants must currently be attending an accredited law school or have graduated within the past six months from an accredited law school and be awaiting the results of the Bar Exam. Additionally, all applicants must pass a criminal history background check to be considered for the position.
Internship applicants are expected to have completed at least their first year of law school (1L) and be progressing towards their second (2L) or third year (3L), or have recently graduated. The program is open to students from a wide range of law schools, including prestigious institutions such as SMU, Columbia, and Howard University.
In terms of educational background, applicants must provide details of their law school, including their year of study and graduation date, as well as their undergraduate degree information. Fluency in languages other than English is considered an asset, and applicants are encouraged to rank their interest in various legal divisions, including Adult Criminal, Mental Health, Family Law, and others.
Salary Information:
The internship is primarily a volunteer opportunity and does not specify salary information. However, it offers the potential for earning school credit or fulfilling public service requirements. Interns interested in receiving credit must arrange this through their educational institution. Additionally, internships can be part of a grant or scholarship, which should be specified in the application.
Application Process:
Applicants must complete a detailed application form, which includes providing a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, a photo, a writing sample, and three to five letters of recommendation or references. The application requires certification that all information provided is accurate and truthful. Applications, along with all attachments, must be submitted to the specified email address.
Application deadlines vary depending on the term, with priority application deadlines offering early notification of acceptance. Regular and priority deadlines are as follows:
- Fall: Priority - July 1, Regular - July 30
- Spring: Priority - November 15, Regular - December 15
- Summer: Priority - March 1, Regular - April 30
Internship terms are approximately as follows:
- Fall: August – December
- Spring: January – May
- Summer: May – August
Applicants who apply by the priority deadline may receive early notification of acceptance, although there are limited priority offers available. Those who do not receive a priority offer may still be considered on the regular timetable.
