Externship-Criminal Defense/Prosecution

Catalog description

This course is appropriate for students who have already secured a non-paid legal position with a prosecutor’s office or other law enforcement agency or a not-for-profit provider of representation to criminal defendants, such as the Legal Aid Society or public defender. In order to receive 6 credits for the course, students are required to work at the placement 35 hours per week for each week of the summer session. Please be aware, however, that the placement may require additional hours each week and/or additional weeks during the summer. Student responsibilities may include: drafting accusatory instruments, interviewing clients and witnesses, assisting in investigations, preparing cases for trial, research, writing motion responses and memoranda of law and observing hearings, trials and other proceedings. A weekly two-hour seminar and a substantial piece of written work are also required. The seminar focuses on legal, practical and ethical issues in criminal prosecutions and includes simulations and case presentations by students. Students who have obtained a local placement must attend a weekly seminar which meets from 6 to 8 p.m. Students who have obtained a distant placement may attend the weekly seminar via teleconference. Permission of the instructor, based on application and interview, required. ULSR Summer Only