LAW 8033 :
Externship:Defenders MontCo

Enrollment: Students may enroll on NOVASIS. No prior approval is required. PREREQUISITE: Evidence (7024) PRE/COREQUISITE: Trial Advocacy (7050) or (7128) Intensive Trial Advocacy 3Ls only in the fall; 2Ls and 3Ls in the spring Student Certification Required http://pabarexam.org/non_bar_exam_admission/321_322 _app.htm click here. Students participating in this program will serve as externs in the Public Defender's Office of Montgomery County in Norristown. Student-externs will be supervised by Assistant Public Defenders in that office, and each extern will be required to spend twelve (12) hours per week at the office. They will participate in the work of the office, assisting in the representation of criminal defendants. The Montgomery County Public Defenders Office represents defendants in a full range of criminal matters. In addition, attorneys in the office handle state parole hearings in the State Correctional Institution at Greaterford and the County prison; juvenile delinquency and dependency matters; and involuntary mental health commitments. Students participating in this externship observe the full range of proceedings and will work at each of the above sites. Students will first learn how to prepare files and interview clients and will gradually progress to representing clients in court. Externs will represent real clients in actual courtroom situations. The rate and timing of a student's progression will be determined by the student and the supervising attorney. In addition, each extern will be required to maintain a journal of experiences and work done in the externship, to meet bi-weekly with the Law School supervisor, and to evaluate the externship in writing at the end of the semester. The supervising attorneys will evaluate students; however, the final grade is the responsibility of the Law School supervisor. GRADED PASS/FAIL