Navigating the Manhattan District Attorney Internship Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
The New York County District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan offers several internship programs designed to provide students with invaluable firsthand experience in the criminal justice system. These programs cater to different academic levels, from high school to law school, and offer unique opportunities to work alongside Assistant District Attorneys and other professionals. This article provides a detailed overview of the Manhattan District Attorney's internship programs, focusing primarily on the requirements and opportunities for law students, as well as touching upon the high school and college programs.
The Role of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office
The District Attorney’s Office represents the People of the State of New York in bringing charges against a suspect in a court of law. The New York County District Attorney’s Office has the responsibility and authority to investigate and prosecute crimes in the borough of Manhattan, with a focus on combatting gun violence, centering survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, combatting white collar, prosecuting hate crimes, elevating effective alternatives to incarceration, holding law enforcement accountable, and vacating unjust convictions. Alvin Bragg was overwhelmingly elected Manhattan District Attorney in 2021, becoming only the fourth person elected to the office in 80 years.
Law School Internship Programs
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office offers both semester and summer internship programs tailored for law students. These programs provide a practical understanding of trial and appellate litigation within the public sector.
Semester Internship Program
This internship allows law students to gain firsthand exposure to trial and appellate litigation in the public sector. Students work closely with Assistant District Attorneys in the investigation, preparation, and prosecution of criminal cases in Manhattan. Depending on the assignment, students will help prosecutors prepare for hearings or trials of street crime cases such as larceny, domestic violence, sex crimes, narcotics, and homicides. Students may also assist in the investigation and litigation of white-collar frauds and rackets cases, and will research and write trial or appellate briefs.
Eligibility: Second-year and first semester third-year law students are eligible for internship placement. Students may participate in only one internship opportunity (semester or summer) at our office. United States Citizenship is not required for interns but is required for post-graduate, full-time, Assistant District Attorney positions.
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Prerequisites: Students are required to have taken criminal law and constitutional law.
Time Commitment: Students will be required to work at least one full day and a half day for a minimum of 12 hours weekly, with a minimum twelve-week commitment to the internship.
Application Process:
- Applications are submitted online.
- For the Fall Semester, applications are accepted from March 1 to April 1.
- For the Spring Semester, applications are accepted from October 1 to November 1.
- All submissions are due by 5:00 PM (ET).
- Applicants invited to interview must submit an official law school transcript. Please click on Application Materials for more information.
- Applicants invited to interview must bring to the interview an official law school transcript, a writing sample, and a list of three academic or professional references.
Summer Law Fellowship
The Summer Law Fellowship provides law students with the opportunity to gain experience in trial and appellate litigation in the public sector. The nine-week program begins the first Monday in June and allows law students to work closely with Assistant District Attorneys. Depending upon assignment, Summer Fellows help prepare cases for grand jury presentations, hearings, and trials. Fellows also research and write appellate and trial briefs, and are assigned to work on complex, long-term investigations.
Eligibility: Full-time second-year and part-time third-year law students are eligible to apply.
Time Commitment: Students will be required to work full-time during the nine week in-person program.
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Compensation: Summer Law Fellows receive a salary of $875 per week.
Application Process:
- All applications must be submitted online.
- Applicants will be required to attach a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and a list of three professional references.
- Applicants invited to interview must submit an official law school transcript. Please click on Application Materials for more information.
- Applications are accepted from August 15 to October 15.
- Offers are made on a rolling basis, and the office responds to all applications. If you have not heard from us your application is still pending.
Responsibilities and Opportunities for Law Student Interns
Law student interns play a crucial role in supporting the work of the District Attorney's Office. Their responsibilities can include:
- Assisting in investigations: Gathering and analyzing evidence to support criminal cases.
- Preparing for hearings and trials: Helping Assistant District Attorneys organize case files, draft legal documents, and prepare witnesses.
- Researching and writing: Conducting legal research and drafting trial or appellate briefs.
- Analyzing legal and non-legal documents: Reviewing and summarizing case-related materials.
- Observing witness interviews: Gaining insight into the process of gathering witness testimony.
College Internship Program
The internship enables college students to gain first-hand exposure to the criminal justice system and local law enforcement in the borough of Manhattan. Students work closely with Assistant District Attorneys and other staff who are investigating and prosecuting criminal cases, providing support to crime victims, assisting with investigations, and analyzing pending legislation, among other tasks.
Eligibility: Current college sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply to the summer internship program. Applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of college by the time the internship commences.
Time Commitment: Students will be required to work at least one full day and a half day for a minimum of 12 hours weekly, with a minimum twelve-week commitment to the internship.
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Responsibilities: 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.
Application Process:
- All applications must be submitted online.
- Applicants will be required to attach a cover letter, resume, one-page personal statement explaining your interest in public service, and unofficial college transcript.
- Only complete applications are reviewed.
- Interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis and students are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline.
- We respond to all applications. If you have not heard from us your application is still pending.
High School Internship Program
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a rigorous five-week internship that provides students with an insider’s view of the criminal justice system. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in workshops and discussions, participate in a mock trial program, develop professionalism in an office setting, and more.
General Application Considerations
Regardless of the specific program, applicants should keep the following in mind:
- Academic Record: A solid academic record is important, but the District Attorney’s Office considers it only one factor.
- Personal Qualities: Qualities such as personal character, integrity, judgment, and maturity are equally important.
- Experience: Prior leadership experience and a demonstrated commitment to public service and the community are valued.
- Coursework: Students are encouraged to have taken at least one criminal law-related class.
Additional Information
The office is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on race, creed, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, credit history, military status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, unemployment status, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, hair or hairstyle, alienage or citizenship status, prior record of arrest or conviction, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a victim of a sex offense or stalking. The term “gender” includes actual or perceived sex and a person’s gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the legal sex assigned to that person at birth.
As a current or prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.
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