What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant Intern - Alternate Defender's Office (Unpaid Intern) position at County of Orange?
Position
Legal Assistant Intern
Alternate Defender's Office
This internship recruitment will remain posted on a continuous basis until the needs of the Agency are met. Students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply immediately.
ALTERNATE DEFENDER'S OFFICE
The role of the Alternate Defender's Office is to provide quality representation to clients in an efficient and cost-effective manner. People who cannot afford to hire a lawyer have the right to a court-appointed lawyer, which in most cases is the Public Defender with a deputy public defender handling the case. The Alternate Defender is the office that handles cases if the Public Defender is not available for appointment (typically if there is a legal conflict of interest).
THE OPPORTUNITY
Interns may work with trial attorneys, investigators, paralegals and secretaries. Duties may include organizing discovery and indexing information; summarizing witness statements; copying and filing case files; preparing and serving agency subpoenas; interacting with court staff to file court motions; serving court orders at the O.C. Sheriff's Department; picking up cases, discovery, and records from various agencies; and delivering clothing and legal mail to the jail. Interns may also be asked to conduct internet research related to various forensic experts and issues. Interns will take part in tactical and strategic discussions on defense theories. Whenever possible, interns are encouraged to attend court proceedings, especially jury trials.
The role of the Alternate Defender's Office is to provide quality representation to clients in an efficient and cost-effective manner. People who cannot afford to hire a lawyer have the right to a court-appointed lawyer, which in most cases is the Public Defender with a deputy public defender handling the case. The Alternate Defender is the office that handles cases if the Public Defender is not available for appointment (typically if there is a legal conflict of interest).
THE OPPORTUNITY
Interns may work with trial attorneys, investigators, paralegals and secretaries. Duties may include organizing discovery and indexing information; summarizing witness statements; copying and filing case files; preparing and serving agency subpoenas; interacting with court staff to file court motions; serving court orders at the O.C. Sheriff's Department; picking up cases, discovery, and records from various agencies; and delivering clothing and legal mail to the jail. Interns may also be asked to conduct internet research related to various forensic experts and issues. Interns will take part in tactical and strategic discussions on defense theories. Whenever possible, interns are encouraged to attend court proceedings, especially jury trials.
Students or recent graduates contemplating law-school or studying for the LSAT will find this internship extremely valuable.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited college/university and have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies or achieved an associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Forensics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Pre-Law, Government Studies or related fields. Recent graduates who have completed their degree in one of the listed fields are also eligible to apply.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Computer skills, especially Microsoft Office Suite, and foreign language skills (Spanish or Vietnamese) are a plus. Applicants with previous experience working with at-risk populations are highly desirable.
TIME COMMITMENT
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited college/university and have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies or achieved an associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Forensics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Pre-Law, Government Studies or related fields. Recent graduates who have completed their degree in one of the listed fields are also eligible to apply.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Computer skills, especially Microsoft Office Suite, and foreign language skills (Spanish or Vietnamese) are a plus. Applicants with previous experience working with at-risk populations are highly desirable.
TIME COMMITMENT
Minimum 12 - 16 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months or up to 6 months. Time frames of less than 3 months cannot be accommodated.
Although this is an unpaid position that does not lead to permanent employment or include employee benefits, interns are offered an opportunity to explore career options, build resumes, network with professionals in their fields of interest and gain hands-on experience in a legal setting. The internship offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to experience real-life situations within a legal office that complement their academic studies and career goals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Students should apply no more than 4 to 5 weeks before their anticipated start date. Applications that have anticipated start dates beyond 5 weeks will not be considered.
Hours may be scheduled Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Ideal schedules are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., two days per week, but other options will be considered.
Applicants able to schedule the maximum hours/duration listed for this internship typically gain a more in-depth experience.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERNAlthough this is an unpaid position that does not lead to permanent employment or include employee benefits, interns are offered an opportunity to explore career options, build resumes, network with professionals in their fields of interest and gain hands-on experience in a legal setting. The internship offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to experience real-life situations within a legal office that complement their academic studies and career goals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Students should apply no more than 4 to 5 weeks before their anticipated start date. Applications that have anticipated start dates beyond 5 weeks will not be considered.
Applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to their application. The cover letter is an opportunity for students to describe career and academic goals, to elaborate upon personal and academic accomplishments, and to identify what type of internship experience they are seeking. Learn more about what to include in a cover letter HERE.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK
Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number.
Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements. Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details. Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number.
Internship recruitments may close at any time at the discretion of the agency.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For additional internship postings, please check our Web site at the following link: https://hrs.ocgov.com/careers/volunteer-intern/internships/internship-opportunities
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact (714) 834-2555 or CountyofOrangeInterns@ocgov.com
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
