Law - Public Defense Field Placement

Catalog description

Offers students the opportunity to work in state and federal public defense offices in Kansas under the guidance of experienced trial and appellate public defenders in exchange for course credit. Under the supervision of these attorneys, students enrolled in the PDFP will assist with client interviews, fact investigations, motions research and writing, and all aspects of criminal defense, receiving hands-on experience with real clients and real criminal cases. Students who wish to enroll in the Public Defense Field Placement apply both to the specific public defender office(s) where they wish to work, and to the director of field placements. Students will attend a field placement orientation; complete check-ins and modules with other field placement students throughout their placement; and participate in other instructional modules addressing professionalism, ethics issues, obtaining feedback from supervisors, and the development of practice-ready skills. Graded on a credit/no credit basis.