Description:
Overview:A Government Entity Salem Public Defender Division currently has openings for 2024 Fall semester interns.
We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.
Our Values:
Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence
Position Overview:
We offer law student interns a variety of experiences and assignments, supervised by veteran attorneys, as well as valuable training. Interns will work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators by providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in both the District and Superior Courts. This unit will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, arraignment and bail advocacy, second seating trials, pretrial investigations including visiting crime scenes, locating and interviewing witnesses.
Qualifications:
Qualifications/Skills:
Law students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class, with the written approval by their Dean, may represent clients under the supervision of a staff public defender in court per SJC Rule 3:03.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Law Students who have taken classes in evidence, criminal law, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy
- SJC Rule 3.03 certification
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities
Interns will work directly with attorneys, investigators, and social service advocates on the following:
- Client interviews;
- Arraignment and bail arguments;
- Legal research;
- Drafting pretrial motions, affidavits and legal memoranda;
- Pretrial investigation, including visiting the locations of alleged crimes and interviewing witnesses; and,
- Pretrial Motion arguments.
