Centers and Clinics
Criminal Law Clinics
Clinics
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Representation in criminal law matters is not offered directly to the public through the clinics. Interns work only with clients through the State Attorney's Office or the Public Defender's Office. No criminal law advice or appointments are handled through the Clinics.
The two Criminal Law Clinics operate Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. The Public Defender Clinic places interns in the Office of the Public Defender and the Prosecutor Clinic places students in the Office of the State Attorney for various Florida circuits. Interns develop their legal skills by representing defendants or the state in actual criminal cases, primarily criminal traffic and misdemeanor cases. Interns practice before real judges and against real opposing counsel. Interns are assigned cases to prepare and to prosecute or defend, and will carry their own case load. In addition, legal interns attend a specialized clinic class each week.
The Criminal Law Clinics are, at a minimum, the equivalent of a half-time (20 hr./week) job during the Fall and Spring terms. Because of the time distribution during the summer term, it is considered a 3/4 time (30 hr./week) job. Even after classes and examinations end, interns are responsible for handling their cases until resolved or transferred. This means that interns must be available for any activity in their assigned cases over semester breaks.
Enrollment in Clinics: Generally, waiting lists exist for all Clinics. Students who wish to maximize their likelihood for enrollment are advised to plan ahead, take the appropriate prerequisite courses and gain preference points by taking additional courses as listed for each Clinic. It is advisable to apply for Clinics (particularly those with a requirement of a preparatory seminar) in the spring of your second year. If you do not gain admission in the spring, you will have a second opportunity in the fall.
Time Requirements
Each intern is required to account for at least 20 hours per week of clinic-related work during the Fall and Spring terms, and 30 hours per week during the Summer term. In addition to this 20-hour requirement, each intern is required to attend a two-hour class each week. The class will deal with issues related to the prosecution and defense of criminal cases.
Court proceedings, depositions, witness appointments and other "real-life" events may conflict with scheduled classes. In that event, interns are responsible for insuring either that they are present for the court proceedings, or that they have arranged to transfer the case to someone else to cover those proceedings.
Case Work Requirements
The intern's primary responsibility in the Clinic is to represent the client, either a defendant in a criminal case or the State of Florida, fully and professionally. The clinic's goal is full preparation prior to every hearing, deposition, or other event, and careful evaluation afterwards.
The minimum case requirements include attendance at all hearings, depositions, plea negotiations, client or witness interviews, and other events at which the intern is counsel, as well as full, complete, and timely preparation for all hearings, depositions, client or witness meetings, and other client events.
In the Prosecutor Clinic, students are expected to adhere to a regular schedule of 20 specific office hours/week in the office of the State Attorney and to attend staff meetings in the office as necessary.
In the Public Defender Clinic, students are required to attend a weekly staff meeting at the Public Defender's office.