Description:

Innocence Program Overview
The Innocence Program (ip), Located in Boston, Is a Unit of The Massachusetts Public Defender's Office that Is Devoted to Identifying and Fighting Wrongful Convictions Across the State. Ip Aims to Identify and Litigate Meritorious Massachusetts Innocence Claims at Both Trial and Appellate Levels; Assign Experienced Attorneys to Litigate Such Claims; Supervise and Train Lawyers Handling Innocence Cases; and Administer Funds from A Federally-Supported Expert Funding System to Support Post-Conviction Investigation, Forensic Consultation and Testing in Both Dna and Non-Dna Cases. Since the Creation of This Unit, Our Staff and Panel Attorneys Have Been Instrumental in Securing the Release and Exoneration of Over Two Dozen Wrongfully Convicted Massachusetts Defendants. We Also Helped Establish an Innovative Partnership with Prosecutors, Criminal Clerks, and Scientists from The Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory to Identify Areas of Common Concern Related to Wrongful Convictions.

You May Also Visit Our Website for More Information: Https://www.Publiccounsel.Net/pc/innocence-Program/

Qualifications:
Qualifications/skills:
All Students Who Will Have Completed Their First Year of Law School by The Start of Their Internship Are Eligible to Apply.

Preferred Qualifications:

Students Who Have Taken Classes in Evidence, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law, Critical Legal Theory, And/or Trial Advocacy
Students with Experience Working with Low-Income Clients, People of Color, Immigrants, Lgbt People, and Other Underrepresented Groups
Students Who Speak a Foreign Language
Students Who Can Work with Us Full-Time
Candidates Must Also:
Have Access to A Personal Computer with Home Internet Access Sufficient to Work Remotely on At Least a Part-Time Basis.

Responsibilities:
Position Overview:
Interns Will Work Closely with The Program Director, Staff Attorneys, Paralegal, and Fellows to Screen Cases, Provide Litigation Support to Post-Conviction Innocence Claims, Work on Research and Data Projects and Policy Advocacy, and Help Draft Trial Court Filings or Appellate Briefs for Any Active Litigation. Interns Will Have the Opportunity to Attend Court for Any Hearings or Arguments.