Students may apply for Criminal Practice Internships through the Clinics Office following procedures outlined in the online Clinical Education Guide. Students interested in applying for a Criminal Practice Internship should also review the Criminal Practice Internship Manual.

Placement Descriptions

Defense
Prosecution
Other Criminal Justice Agencies

Defense

Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society is responsible for the representation of the vast majority of defendants in the N.Y.C. criminal justice system. Students will be assigned to two trial attorneys with an extensive caseload. The student will have an opportunity to work on all aspects of the preparation of the defense case including research writing, motion, interviewing clients and witnesses, negotiations, investigation and second seating hearings and trials. An extra mandatory one hour meeting is held each week at the Society's office to discuss issues of special interest to the defense attorney.

This placement is available in the Legal Aid Office located in Brooklyn only.

Office of the Appellate Defender
This office handles appeals of criminal defendants convicted in the First Department. Students work on one or more briefs during the semester.

The office is located in Manhattan.

Office of the Federal Defenders
These attorneys are assigned to represent indigent defendants being prosecuted by the federal government. Students work with an individual attorney on the criminal defense caseload including the possibility of second seating trials.

This office is located in Brooklyn.

Assigned Counsel Plan (18B)
These attorneys are assigned to represent semi-indigent defendants. Students work with an individual attorney on the criminal defense caseload including the possibility of second seating trials.

These attorneys are generally located in Brooklyn.

Prosecution

State: Offices of the District Attorneys
Each District Attorney's office is responsible for the prosecution of all offenses, misdemeanors and felonies arising in their county. Although, their functions are the same the actual structure of each of these offices is very different. Students working in any of these offices will be assigned to an individual Assistant District Attorney the students will receive assignments and feedback.

A student working with an A.D.A. can expect to do research, observe court proceedings, second seat hearings and trials, investigate accusations, interview witnesses, answer motions and generally assist in any way in the preparation of a case for trial. All applicants once accepted will be fingerprinted.

Placements are available in offices in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties.

Federal: United States Attorneys
The United States Attorneys in Manhattan (S.D.N.Y.) or Brooklyn (E.D.N.Y.) prosecute all federal crimes in federal court. Students generally will assist with research and writing projects and will have opportunities to observe trials in federal court. There are no summer placements here since these offices hire through their own interview process. If you do receive a position through the U. S. Attorney's summer employment process you can apply for and receive credit but must comply with the clinic requirements.

Students assigned to the US Attorney's Office EDNY will also have the opportunity to participate in a new initiative between Brooklyn Law School and the US Attorney's Office EDNY. These students will handle a small misdemeanor caseload under the supervision of an AUSA. They will be responsible for the entire federal prosecution from drafting the accusatory instrument to the actual trial of the case.

Other Criminal Justice Agencies

Safe Horizon
This agency exists as a service to the criminal justice system. There are many different types of opportunities for involvement at this agency including researching legislative issues which impact on victims, assisting the general counsel, and working with the Domestic Violence Project where the students will interview and appear in court with domestic violence victims.

The student initially states a preference for a type of work and is then interviewed by the person responsible for that particular area.

Corporation Counsel (Juvenile Offenders)
This division of Corp. Counsel prosecutes juveniles for a large variety of crimes not handled by the D.A.'s office. Each student is assigned to an attorney and assists with the handling and prosecution of their caseload.

This office is located in Brooklyn.

Office of The Criminal Justice Coordinator
This office was given by the Mayor responsibility for the management of the criminal justice system. Students assigned here work on policy implementation for the criminal justice system.

This office is located in Manhattan.

NYPD—Legal Affairs Bureau
This clinic offers an opportunity to approach issues of crime from a problem solving, rather than litigation, perspective within a legal framework.

This office is located in Manhattan.

Special Prosecutor for Medicaid Fraud
The students assigned to this office work on the prosecution of medicaid providers charged with a variety of abuses of the medicaid system.

This office is located in Manhattan.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
The F.B.I. offers a year long clinical placement open to second and third year students. The placement is located in the N.Y.C. regional office. Students will be assigned to F.B.I. agents and attorneys and will rotate through different divisions including securities fraud, organized crime, computer crimes, narcotics enforcement and the legal division. After an on-campus interview, applications are then forwarded for a second round interview at F.B.I. headquarters.