Internship Spring 2027 - PDD Fall River

About the Role

The Fall River Public Defender Division offers law student internships for the Spring 2027 semester. The office represents adults accused of felony and misdemeanor offenses, as well as low-income clients facing civil commitment based on mental illness or substance use. Interns work closely with lawyers, social workers, and investigators providing legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients charged with criminal offenses in both District and Superior Courts.

Qualifications

• Law students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in an evidence or trial practice class
• Written approval by the student's Dean to represent clients under supervision of a staff public defender per SJC Rule 3:03
• Law students who have taken classes in evidence, criminal law, constitutional law, critical legal theory, and/or trial advocacy (preferred)
• SJC Rule 3.03 certification (preferred)
• Must agree to keep confidential all information involving client representation and work performed on behalf of clients

Responsibilities

• Client interviews
• Arraignment and bail arguments
• Legal research
• Drafting pretrial motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda
• Pretrial investigation, including visiting locations of alleged crimes and interviewing witnesses
• Pretrial motion arguments
• Second seating trials

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