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2L job search / Re: Federal Public Defender - worthwhile?
« on: October 10, 2009, 05:03:41 PM »
I interned during 1L summer in a very busy Division. While a love of litigation is important, be ready to explain why you want to rep. indigent defendants.
I wouldn't say low-level drugs were our specialty, but guys coming over the border with hundreds of pounds. Also, a lot were felon in possession of a firearm. We also had a lot of illegal reentry charges, but those are cut and dry and usual go to CJA attorneys.
That said, I did a lot of work on suppression of evidence, prison conditions, wiretaps, and fraud against the government. It was interesting, but I didn't spend nearly any time in court. If you just want to sit in court, a judge might be better. Also the US atty might be better too. They required security clearances in my town and while the people were waiting to get approved they had nothing to do but sit in civil and criminal trials.
I wouldn't say low-level drugs were our specialty, but guys coming over the border with hundreds of pounds. Also, a lot were felon in possession of a firearm. We also had a lot of illegal reentry charges, but those are cut and dry and usual go to CJA attorneys.
That said, I did a lot of work on suppression of evidence, prison conditions, wiretaps, and fraud against the government. It was interesting, but I didn't spend nearly any time in court. If you just want to sit in court, a judge might be better. Also the US atty might be better too. They required security clearances in my town and while the people were waiting to get approved they had nothing to do but sit in civil and criminal trials.
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