My internship experience with the Public Defender Services for the District of Columbia has been eventful thus far! Throughout the past few weeks, I have experienced a sense of belonging with attorneys, investigators, law clerks, investigative interns, and support personnel by conducting various investigative tasks. After completing mandatory training, I had a smooth transition to the Public Defender Services because of a shared common goal to provide effective legal representation to the communities of the District of Columbia in which we serve. Empowered by the indigent defendants which deserve an equal right to be heard, seen, freed, acquitted, rehabilitated, and redeemed, I have been provided the investigative practices, resources, and support to provide quality representation for the most serious and complex crimes. I have been able to conduct a wide variety of investigative tasks to provide an effective defense to criminal and civil issues which can arise in litigation.
I have begun transitioning to conduct more investigative tasks with the Civil Division, which includes a wide range of civil matters which are collateral to an indigent defendant’s involvement in the delinquency or criminal justice system. The civil issues faced are complex and almost limitless in number, such as adverse immigration consequences and the loss of parental rights, housing, property, and employment due to criminal charges and allegations. I have been very busy conducting various types of field work across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia on a daily basis. To compare, the Trial Division is different based on the types of criminal charges and possible punishments. However, the investigative tasks have yet to change.
My experience has shaped how I view the world by understanding how social inequalities are intertwined with legal public services in local impoverished communities. As I plan to become a Public Defender, I am more knowledgeable about the populations which I plan to serve through field investigative tasks such as conducting client in-takes, background information, communicating with close families and friends, and visiting neighborhoods which may be prominent in providing an effective defense. Throughout the internship, I have been able to complete investigative work which has provided a close-up perspective to the social inequalities within impoverished, gentrified areas and continues to perpetuate high crime rates. I have acknowledged indigent defendants are human beings, regardless of the accusations against them and possible crimes committed, which are deserving of their civil rights to be protected. Hearing the perspectives of the stories of hundreds of clients along with first and second-hand witnessing the way government entities such as the prosecution, police, and judge treat indigent defendants has placed emphasis on how necessary the allocation of federal funds towards public legal defense is needed. The Public Defender Services has strengthened my interests while providing the experience and education necessary to excel in a career in legal public service. I am looking forward to pursuing law school and continuing to protect the civil rights of indigent defendants.
The Capstone Project is almost finished! I had the opportunity to interview Special Counsel of Policy and Legislation Katerina Semyonova, who represents the Public Defender Service before the District of Columbia Council along with other entities and committees whose legislative work affects the incarcerated. Ms. Semyonova advocates for pending legislation before the District of Columbia Council on issues such as pretrial release, record sealing, and sentencing. I interviewed Ms. Semyonva about her legislative work with past bills passed by the Council of the District of Columbia. In the CapStone Project, I focus on the District of Columbia’s Prioritizing Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2023. Based on the Council of the District of Columbia’s legislative meetings, the amendment language, and comments by the Public Defender Services, the amount of information I have been able to analyze and evaluate has been useful and informative to be able to conduct research about the District of Columbia’s recent attempt at criminal reform. What may require more time and effort is devising potential conclusions and public policy recommendations due to field investigative tasks. Based on internship experiences associated with heightened crime rates, I plan to discuss implementing a sense of community in Wards 7 and 8 by providing adequate public resources such as affordable housing, low-priced grocery stores, improved public transit options, adding outdoor leisure spaces (parks, playgrounds, swimming pools), implementing organized youth recreational activities, improving public mental health services, and increasing public school funding.
I have attached a few of my favorite photographs: a painting by Claude Monet at the National Gallery of Art, elephants at the Smithsonian National Zoo, a painting by Vincent van Gogh at the National Gallery of Art, and elephants at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
HSF House Blogs 