NCJ Number
10056
Date Published
1971
Length
82 pages
Annotation
PROGRAMS FOR TRAINING LAW STUDENTS IN THE PRACTICE OF CRIMINAL LAW TO CHANNEL MORE AND BETTER TRIAL LAWYERS INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THESE CLINICAL PROGRAMS ARE FINANCED BY THE FORD FOUNDATION. THEY WERE DESIGNED TO SOLVE THREE PRIMARY PROBLEMS - THE NEED FOR MORE QUALIFIED PEOPLE AT EACH STAGE OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS DUE TO RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS EXPANDING THE RIGHTS OF ACCUSED, THE IMPOSITION OF HIGHER STANDARDS ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY THE SUPREME COURT, AND THE GROWING NEED FOR PUBLICLY PROVIDED DEFENSE FOR ACCUSED WHO CANNOT AFFORD IT. THE REPORT EVALUATES THE VARIOUS ATTITUDES OF THE STUDENT INTERNS ABOUT THE PROGRAMS AND EXAMINES WHAT SOME OF THE FORMER INTERNS HAVE DONE SINCE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM. FUNDING PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT FOR THESE CLINICAL PROGRAMS IN MANY LAW SCHOOLS. THE INTERNSHIPS SHAPED THREE MAIN TYPES - THE HIGHLY-QUALIFIED AND DEFENSEORIENTED SPECIALIST, A NON-CRIMINAL LAWYER WHO WILL DRAW FROM HIS INTERN EXPERIENCE WITHOUT DIRECTLY USING IT, AND AN INTERN WHO HAS BEEN SHAPED INTO A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATOR.