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Agency Name Santa Cruz County Public Defender's Office/ Biggam Christensen & Minsloff Law Firm
Categories Legal Services
Contact Name Jack Alcantara
Agency Email

jalcantara@scdefenders.com
Agency Address 2103 N. Pacific Ave
Agency Phone (831) 426-2656 [Do not call for internship]
Web Address
Office Hours M-F 8-5
Distance from Campus 2.3 mi.
Nearest Bus Lines Metro Station, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20
Mission Statement The role of the Public Defender’s Office is to provide quality representation to indigent clients accused of crimes. People who cannot afford to hire an attorney have the constitutional right to a court-appointed attorney, which in most cases is the Public Defender. This office employs about 25 attorneys and 8 full-time investigators.
Volunteer Duties Interns will be assigned to the Investigations Bureau of the Public Defender's Office. You will work with investigators and trial attorneys. Areas of law include the defense of misdemeanor charges from driving under the influence or domestic violence, to felony charges such as assault with a deadly weapon or murder. Duties include writing letters to request records from law enforcement agencies, medical facilities, and other businesses. You will be asked to prepare and serve subpoenas, locate and interview witnesses, and write reports based on those interviews. Interns are often asked to take pictures of physical evidence and photographs and measurements at the scene of the alleged crime. You will also be exposed to various resources and databases commonly used to locate witnesses and gather background information. Spanish-speaking interns will also be asked to interpret for attorney/client meetings in the office and in the Santa Cruz County Jail facilities. You will also be asked to translate written documents. The internship is best suited for undergraduate students majoring in Legal Studies/Politics, Latin American and Latino Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Community Studies, or related fields. In addition, students contemplating law school or studying for the LSAT will find this internship extremely valuable. The following qualifications are preferred: the ability to take direction well, have a good attitude, work well with others, have strong organizational skills, speak, read, and write well in English. Good communication skills and general maturity are a must. Spanish speakers are highly encouraged to apply. Interns will participate in a 16 hr. training prior to starting, and will receive on the job training from the Chief Investigator. They will also have the opportunity to observe court proceedings and attend investigator training sessions. Because travel through out the county is necessary, interns must have access to a reliable car and must have a cell phone. A minimum of 16-24 hours per week for at least two quarters or one semester is required. Hours must be scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. Applicants willing to extend the duration of their internship typically gain a more in-depth experience. Because of the training and work involved, there are two internship opportunities per year. The Summer & Fall internship starts in late June and goes through the end of the Fall Quarter. The Winter & Spring internship starts in early January and goes through the end of the Spring Quarter. Although this is an unpaid position, interns are offered an opportunity to explore career options, build resumes, network with professionals in their fields of interest and gain hands-on experience in a legal setting. The internship offers students an opportunity to experience real-life situations within a legal office that complement their academic studies and career goals. This is a unique opportunity to get an insider’s perspective on the workings of the criminal justice system. Further, students have been able to obtain school credit for this internship. Applying for the internship: Please submit a resume and cover letter to the email address jalcantara@scdefenders.com. No phone calls please. Applications for Summer and Fall are accepted through April with selections made in May. Applications for Winter and Spring are accepted through October with selections made in November.
Notes Updated 5/7/2019