Criminal Law Externship (B545)
Students engaged in unpaid legal work for local public defenders or prosecutors may earn 2 - 3 credits through the Criminal Law Externship.
What is the Criminal Law Externship (B545)?
The externship allows students to gain a better understanding of the major issues involved with criminal law practice and the criminal justice system. In addition to legal research and writing tasks, externs have an opportunity to observe and to participate in a number of court proceedings. Under attorney supervision, students frequently have the opportunity to appear at bench trials as well is in traffic, initial, and change of plea hearings. On occasion, significant roles in jury trials may be possible. In the past, externs have worked in the Monroe County Public Defender's Office and prosecutor's offices in Monroe, Owen, and Marion counties.
Why should I be involved?
The externship provides opportunities to: 1) have a hands-on legal experience, working with a licensed attorney, focusing on the development of legal skills; 2) deal with issues of professional responsibility in a real practice setting; 3) gain insight into aspects of the legal system and the profession's role within in it; and, 4) reflect upon what is learned to guide future professional development. Additionally, the externship has the potential to provide the work experience and job references that increase the likelihood of gaining employment as a public defender or prosecutor after graduation.
What is the time commitment?
Students work approximately 50-60 hours for one hour of credit; reflective essays, meetings with the academic supervisor, and other administrative tasks take additional time. Students must enroll for either 2 or 3 credit hours and will work at least 100 or 150 hours over the course of the semester. Actual work schedules are arranged with on-site supervising attorneys. Given the nature of litigation and the criminal court schedules, students who are able to arrange to work a couple hours each day in the office throughout the work week tend to have a richer and more varied experience than those students who work the same number of hours on just one or two days each week.
Where do I go from here?
Here's what you need to know about participating in the Criminal Law Externship (B545):
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Enrollment is limited to 5 students per semester and is usually limited to one semester.
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Participants must be second- or third-year students who are eligible for certification as legal interns (i.e., completed 44 credits, including, or concurrently taking, The Legal Profession).
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Priority is given to students who have a serious interest in criminal law practice and have taken courses that will enrich the externship experience (e.g., criminal procedure, evidence, or trial advocacy).
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The course is graded pass/fail.
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Permission of the supervising faculty member is required to enroll.