Fall 2023 Internship - Public Safety Division (#2023-70); Closing: (7/28/2023)

The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) seeks highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students to work as legal interns during the academic year and summer vacation. OAG’s internship program provides students with a challenging experience that reflects the demands and rewards of public service.

Interning at OAG is a great experience! You will be taught a variety of interesting legal tasks such as assisting attorneys with legal research, motions, advice memos, discovery, trial, or office matters. On any given day you may be researching, gathering documents, contacting witnesses, redacting videos, or taking notes during a hearing. Perhaps, you may be needed to assist attorneys at trial or a hearing and enjoy seeing firsthand how to select a jury or make a dynamic opening statement.

Internships are unique and tailored to each student's needs, interests, and schedule. We will talk with you to learn about your interests, skills, experience, preparation, and training. After receiving the completed application and supporting documents, the internship coordinator will contact you to arrange a suitable placement that is mutually beneficial. You may be sent additional forms to complete the process.

PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION

The Public Safety Division handles all cases where young people commit a law violation in the District of Columbia and prosecutes selected adult misdemeanor cases. The Public Safety Division consist of seven sections (Criminal, Juvenile, Mental Health, Restorative Justice, Domestic Violence/Special Victims, Public Corruption) and two units (Discovery and Juvenile Specialty Court). Interns will help section attorneys in a variety of ways including, but not limited to conducting legal research, drafting motions and pleadings, making charging decisions, evaluating reasonable and appropriate plea offers and resolutions, assessing what if any type of diversion program is appropriate, engaging with the Restorative Justice program, discovery, and trial preparation. Interns will be able to attend and observe many different types of court proceedings, including trials.

Criminal Section

The Criminal Section prosecutes adults who commit the following types of misdemeanor criminal violations: Traffic offenses, weapons offenses, quality-of-life offenses, municipal regulation offenses, and fraud against the District of Columbia.

Juvenile Section

The Juvenile Section has the unique responsibility of prosecuting all juveniles within the District of Columbia. Along with our efforts to protect the public, we also place a heavy emphasis on rehabilitation of the juveniles, and we evaluate each case on a case-by-case basis.

Mental Health Section

The Mental Health Section represents the Department of Behavioral Health in protecting residents of the District of Columbia from harm by facilitating access to mental health treatment, obtaining guardians for incapacitated adults, and prosecuting Red Flag cases.

Restorative Justice Section

The Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between young people who commit crimes and the victim, where the victim is interested.

Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section

The Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section includes the following: the Domestic Violence team, which prosecutes violations of Civil Protection Orders (CPO) and represents petitioners seeking to obtain CPO and Extreme Risk Protection Orders; the Special Victims team that handles juvenile prosecutions of offenses against vulnerable victims as well as adult indecent exposure cases; and the Elder Abuse team that represents Adult Protective Services obtaining guardians and conservators for vulnerable adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited, or are self-neglecting, and prosecutes financial exploitation of older or vulnerable adults.

Public Corruption

The Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust.

Discovery Unit

The Discovery Unit collect, review, redact and evaluate any and all potentially discoverable and exculpatory evidence including, body worn camera footage and police officer disciplinary records, to assess any potential disclosures that must be made in the course of prosecution pursuant to discovery and Brady obligations.

Juvenile Specialty Court Unit

JSCU comprehensively focuses on possible solutions to the District’s truancy and runaway, problems. JSCU also manages the ATTEND truancy mediation program, and the Juvenile Behavioral Diversion Program, D.C. Superior Court’s mental health court for youth.

Candidates should submit a resume, transcript, cover letter, and writing sample (no more than 10 pages) by February 28, 2023. References are appreciated but not required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, genetic information, or political affiliation.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) is committed to providing the highest quality legal and programmatic services to the district and its residents while ensuring the health and safety of employees, customers, clients, volunteers, contractors, and other visitors.