Centers and Clinics
The Criminal Defense Clinic Curriculum
The Criminal Defense Clinic is an excellent opportunity for students to work under the close supervision of experienced lawyers and gain an understanding of what it takes to provide a competent legal defense for the accused in our criminal justice system.
Curriculum
The Defense Clinic is a one-semester, nine-credit hour course. Three of the nine credits will be graded, the remaining six are awarded on a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) basis.
The summer Criminal Clinic is a six-credit hour course and is graded on an S/U basis only. During fall and spring internships, students should expect to work a minimum of 25 hours a week in the Public Defender's Office. During summer internships, students work a minimum of 30 hours a week.
Students will be required to attend orientation the week prior to the beginning of classes.
Note that Court proceedings, depositions, witness appointments, and other "real-life" events may conflict with scheduled classes during the semester. Students should arrange their schedules to allow as many free full days as possible to work in the office.
Classroom Component:
In addition to the work requirements, each intern is required to attend a weekly class which provides a forum for discussion and in-depth study of topics that are critical to defense practice. Students explore the unique dynamics of the attorney/client relationship in criminal proceedings, and develop an understanding of discovery techniques, case analysis, plea negotiation, evidentiary issues, and ethical issues in the context of criminal defense practice. Classes are scheduled on Mondays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Internships are currently offered in the Public Defender's Office in Gainesville, Alachua County; Ocala, Marion County; Orlando, Orange and Osceola Counties; Jacksonville, Duval County; and Palatka, Putnam County.
Requests for additional placement opportunities may be addressed with Professor Haughton.
Required Courses
- Evidence
- Police Practices or Adversarial Systems
- Any course of at least 3 credits from the recommended courses listed below.
Recommended Courses
- Advanced Trial Practice
- Complex Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Litigation
- Criminal Externship
- Interviewing, Counseling & Negotiation
- Prosecutorial Ethics, or a Second Criminal Procedure Course.