The internship programs at the Law Office of the Public Defender traditionally catered to college level and law school students. Due to the high interest level from High school students for internship opportunities, we have introduced an abbreviated two-week internship program specifically designed for high school aged students.
The Youth Summer Justice Program will expose high school students to the innerworkings of the court system. The program focuses on the criminal justice courts, law enforcement, crime lab and medical examiner’s office.
Youth will shadow an attorney throughout the day; observe court proceedings and watch trials and hearings. Interns will be expected to engage in question and answer sessions with judges, attorneys, bailiffs, court-reporters. Participants will also have an opportunity to attend interactive presentations with Crime Scene Investigators from the Crime Lab and physicians from the Medical examiner’s Office. The youth will also tour the Clerk of the Court, Electronic Court Reporting and Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail. The program will culminate with a live demonstration from highly trained police dogs from BSO’s K-9 Unit.
Summer Justice Interns will conclude the program by participating in a mock trial. With guidance from practicing professionals, the interns will act as attorneys and present a case to a jury for deliberation. This is an opportunity for the interns to put into practice all the information and experience they have absorbed throughout the program.
**Community service hours will be awarded for the internship.
Summer Justice Applicants must have completed at the 9th Grade at a Highschool located in Broward County, Florida.