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Externships

Criminal Law Externship

The Criminal Law Externship enables students to gain a better understanding of the major issues involved with criminal law practice and the criminal justice system. In addition to legal research and writing tasks, externs can observe and participate in various criminal court proceedings under attorney supervision. Externs work in prosecutors' offices and public defender offices in south central Indiana.

The externship provides opportunities to:

  • Develop legal skills and get hands-on experience working with a licensed attorney
  • Deal with issues of professional responsibility in a real practice setting
  • Gain insight into aspects of the legal system and the profession’s role within it
  • Reflect upon what is learned to guide future professional development
  • Provide work experience and job references that further your chances of becoming a public defender or prosecutor after graduation
Requirements

Participants in this externship spend time writing reflective essays and meeting one-on-one with an academic supervisor. Students may enroll for either 2 to 4 credit hours per semester (equivalent to 100, 150, or 200 hours), and work schedules are arranged with on-site, supervising attorneys.

Enrollment is limited and participation may be limited to one semester. The course is graded pass/fail. Participants must be second- or third-year students who are eligible for certification as legal interns. To be eligible, students must have passed at least 44 credits and taken The Legal Profession course. Priority is given to students who have a serious interest in criminal law practice and have taken courses that will enrich the externship experience, such as Criminal Procedure, Evidence, or Trial Advocacy.

Permission of the supervising faculty member, David Main, is required to enroll.

Contact the Criminal Law Externship

Faculty Supervisor: David Main
E-mail: dmmain [at] indiana [dot] edu
Phone: (812) 855-3028
Fax: (812) 855-4840

B545: Criminal Law Externship course description