CLINICAL PROGRAMS : SUFFOLK PROSECUTORS

Duration: Full year program for students in their final year of law school
Credits: 8 credits (4 credits per semester/3 credits letter graded & 5 credits ungraded)

The Prosecutors Program is open only to students in their final year of law school.  The fieldwork placement is in a District Court where students represent the Commonwealth in criminal cases under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney.  As student prosecutors, participants learn the multi-faceted role of the District Attorney in the prosecution of criminal cases including handling arraignments and bail/detention hearings, interviewing witnesses, providing discovery, handling pre-trial motions, engaging in plea negotiations, preparing for trial, and arguing disposition.  Students are likely to handle evidentiary hearings on Motions to Suppress and may also handle bench or jury trials during the year.  The classroom component consists of lectures, discussions, and simulations focusing on criminal procedure, evidence, search and seizure, courtroom advocacy, prosecutorial ethics, case preparation, and the exercise of discretion by prosecutors.  Students are required to submit reflective journals periodically and, at the end of the year, a short paper.  Students must have available one full day per week in the fall semester (8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.) and two full days per week in the spring semester for court appearances and case preparation.  Preference for court assignments will be solicited, and court assignments will be made at the beginning of the fall semester. 

Contact: Contact Professor Diane Juliar at