NCJ Number
19324
Date Published
1974
Length
38 pages
Annotation
THIS PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LAW STUDENT INTERNS WITH A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCE WHILE FREEING STAFF ATTORNEYS TO PERFORM MORE DIFFICULT LEGAL SERVICES.
Abstract
THE DESIGN OF THIS PROGRAM CALLED FOR LAW STUDENTS TO PERFORM THE INITIAL INTERVIEWING OF CLIENTS, ASSIST IN PERFORMING RESEARCH IN APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS, ASSIST ATTORNEYS IN HANDLING POSTCONVICTION MATTERS, MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS, AND ASSIST STAFF SOCIAL WORKERS IN PREPARING PAROLE PLANS, PRESENTENCE REPORTS, AND SOCIAL HISTORY WORK-UPS. THIS PROGRAM WAS EVALUATED USING PERSONAL INTERVIEWS AND QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES OF INTERNS AND SUPERVISORS. EVALUATORS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROJECT DID ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE OF FREEING ITS LEGAL STAFF. HOWEVER, INTERNS DID NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE ORIENTATION AND TRAINING AND WERE LARGELY RESTRICTED TO IN-OFFICE INTERVIEWING. RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTED FORMAL ORIENTATION AND TRAINING FOR ALL INTERNS, ROTATION OF INTERNS IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM COMPLETE EXPERIENCE COVERAGE, AND INCREASED INTERNSHIP HOURS OF TRAINING.