Undergraduate Internships:

The Undergraduate Internship Program is designed to give undergraduate students exposure to the prosecutor’s role in the criminal justice system and for the Office to scout perspective employees. At the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, interns are an integral part of our workforce. Students gain exposure to criminal case prosecution and are given responsibility, meaningful work, and a chance to leave their mark.

The internship program also affords students the opportunity to get “real world” experience in their area of study, possibly for college credit. The program is intended to provide knowledge, skills, and experiences that an intern can apply to future challenges and professional pursuits, while giving back to the Frederick community.

Most students are assigned to one unit for the duration of the internship as determined by the current needs of the Office. Occasionally these needs may require a student to split time between units. Each student will have unique experiences and duties based upon unit assignment. Some students will closely assist paralegals and/or Assistant State’s Attorneys, while others will work more independently fulfilling unit tasks. Regardless of unit placement, all students will be given the opportunity to observe the various aspects of criminal case prosecution. To further enhance the experience, State’s Attorney’s Office personnel will lead breakout sessions highlighting units and office initiatives during each semester.

Students are required to give the office a minimum of 15 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters. If a student is performing the internship for academic credit, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate the institutional requirements to the Office. All undergraduate internship positions are unpaid.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Depending on the assignment, students may assist in investigations, hearings and trials; prepare, compile and analyze legal and non-legal documents and financial data; perform research, observe witness interviews, participate in community outreach programs and attend trials.

As a Victim/Witness Coordinator, the undergraduate college student acts as a liaison between victims and State’s witnesses, and the prosecuting attorney. The intern is assigned a particular day in court, and each week is responsible for pulling the files in preparation for that court day. The intern also contacts the State’s victims and witnesses regarding their court appearance and answers any questions they may have.

Interns also play a critical role in preparing (screening) and assisting Assistant State’s Attorneys in the District Court with misdemeanor criminal cases. The intern is a bridge between the citizens and the legal system, to educate the community to better understand the workings of the criminal justice system, and assist citizens to more effectively utilize the legal system to achieve justice.

Other tasks include:

• Interviewing victims, witnesses, police officers
• Gathering and reviewing evidence
• Preparing subpoenas, motions, and other court documents
• Redaction on documents to be introduced in court
• Listening to jail calls
• Victim/Witness support (fielding v/w questions before and during court)
• Perform a variety of clerical tasks.